Energy dissipation and liquefaction at Port Island, Kobe

The Port Island, Kobe downhole records from the Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake are analysed to obtain approximate histories of shear stress, shear strain and dissipated energy at a range of depths. Our calculation method relies on measured accelerations in the horizontal plane to produce horizontal components of shear stress and strain using instantaneous modal superposition. A simple dissipated energy-dynamic pore pressure relationship is used to model the development of pore pressure leading to liquefaction. The results show a rapidly developing zone of liquefaction which initiates at a depth of roughly 15 metres in the Port Island reclaimed soils.