Damage to River Levees and Revetments

Levees with masonry and concrete-block walls underwent collapse and destortion between the central Kobe and Nishinomiya where the most severe damage was sustaind. In a coastal area, levees sustained characteristic deformation of the soft ground. In a reclaimed land liquefaction of the fill brought about excessive deformation in revetments of levees. Levees in the Muko River on the eastern foot of Mt. Rokko suffered from settlement, distortion and cracks. The Ina, Mo, Kanzaki, nakajima, Samondo, Aji and Shorenji Rivers were damaged where a thick soft sandy deposits underlay and old meanders were also found in some locations. In a port area, excessive distortion and cracks occurred in levees, while heavy concrete revetments supported by long piles which resist against the storm surge were little damaged. This paper outlines the structural, geological and geotechnical aspects of earthquake damage to levees in Hanshin region but damage to the Yodo River is excluded.