Abstract—The concern for the collapse of structures by active fault displacement has increased since the 1999 Taiwan Chi-Chi earthquake and the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. Many infrastructures in Japan, such as bridges, earth dams and embankments, have not been designed considering the fault displacements. In this paper, the effect of fault displacement on earth structures above the active fault was discussed through a series of model tests where aluminum rod models were used as the ground. Consequently, the shear bands developed from the bottom to the ground surface regardless of the ground thickness and the type of active faults. The deformation of the ground surface due to the fault displacement was not limited within the area above the active fault. As the ground became thicker, the area of the surface deformation expanded wider.

Keywords—fault displacement, earth structure, active fault, earthquake, model test

Cite: Yasuyuki Nabeshima, "Effects of Fault Displacement on Earth Structures above Active Fault," International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 72-77, 2024.