Chapter Six: Lifeline Systems
6.1 Introduction
Extensive damage to lifeline systems occurred throughout the epicentral area of the earthquake. Some of the damage and failures appeared to be primarily structural in nature, such as the failures of elevated sections of freeways, railroads, and bridges, most notably the collapse of the Hanshin Expressway and the collapse of elevated sections of a number of railroad lines, including Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen. Other damage seemed to have been caused principally by ground failure, such as the liquefaction induced damage to port facilities, underground transit, and underground utilities. In many instances, the connection between the structural failures and ground deformation could not be evaluated in the course of a reconnaissance visit, and further studies will be needed. The damage to the Port of Kobe has already been described in considerable detail in Chapter 3, and, therefore, the emphasis here is on transit and major utilities.