Author(s): Daiki Nakasato; Eiji Sawaki; Tomohiro Tsuchiya; Takahiro Takeuchi; Shinji Kioka
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Sea ice pile-up; Tsunami; Earthquake
Abstract: On the 4th of March 1952, the Tokachi-oki earthquake (M8.2) occurred in the south-eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan. It created a tsunami 1-3m high on the eastern coast of Hokkaido, which, together with remaining sea ice, caused damage to residences and infrastructure. The pieces of sea ice were around 2m square and 0.6m thick. This action is likely to close roads and isolate settlements. However, there has been little research reported on interaction between sea ice and road structures. The purpose of this research is to obtain useful information for a disaster prevention plan against tsunami in ice-infested sea through indoor model tests. Opening roads to stricken areas is important for transport of goods and people. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the impact of sea ice on road structures when a tsunami occurs in a sea-ice-infested area. Indoor model tests have been conducted to determine the interaction mechanism between sea ice and road structures using models of sea ice made of poly-propylene. Sea ice pile-up height at the front of a road structure was measured, and a method for estimating its height has been proposed using the model proposed by Kovac and Sodhi (1979). Also, the impact of sea ice on road structures can be divided into three types, depending on the difference between tsunami height and structure height. Test results are shown here, and these findings will be useful in producing a disaster prevention plan for a tsunami in an ice-infested sea.
Year: 2024