Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Failure of engineering structures and associated geotechnical problems during the 2022 ML 6.8 Chihshang earthquake, Taiwan

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Hazards Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

On September 18, 2022, an earthquake with a local magnitude (ML) 6.8 struck the southern part of Longitudinal Valley in southeastern Taiwan, resulting in the collapse and damage of many engineering structures. A field reconnaissance was conducted at the selected sites that experienced building and bridge damages and is presented in this paper. The focus is on geotechnical problems such as strong ground motion, ground rupture, soil liquefaction, and their influence on engineering structures. Strong motions of up to 0.6 g were induced, with similar intensity in the vertical and horizontal components near the epicenter. Widespread ground rupture traces were observed along the officially recognized active faults, inducing offsets up to tens of centimeters. Soil liquefaction was also noticed in this region, mainly on the river flood plain and characterized as gravel layer. The possible influence of these observed geotechnical characteristics on the damage pattern or failure mode of buildings, bridges, embankments, and levees was discussed and interpreted insightfully. The perspectives presented in this paper may serve as a reference to disaster prevention and mitigation in future events.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Angelier J, Chu HT, Lee JC (1997) Shear concentration in a collision zone: kinematics of the Chihshang Fault as revealed by outcrop-scale quantification of active faulting, Longitudinal Valley, eastern Taiwan. Tectonophysics 274:117–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-1951(96)00301-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angelier J, Chu HT, Lee JC, Hu J-H (2000) Active faulting and earthquake hazard: the case study of the Chihshang Fault, Taiwan. J Geodyns 29(3–5):151–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-3707(99)00045-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CGS (2018) Geological investigation report on 20180206 Hualien earthquake. Central Geological Survey (CGS), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan. https://faultnew.moeacgs.gov.tw/Reports/More/1dbcb959c822446a8044275e171b71a3. Accessed 31 March 2023 (in Chinese)

  • CGS (2021) Active Fault Map of Taiwan. Central Geological Survey (CGS), Ministry Economic Affairs, Taiwan

  • CGS (2022a) Geological Investigation Databank. Central Geological Survey (CGS), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan. https://geotech.moeacgs.gov.tw/imoeagis/. (last update on 6 November 2022a) Accessed 7 November 2022a (in Chinese)

  • CGS (2022b) Geological investigation report on 2022b0917 Guanshan earthquake and 2022b0918 Chihshang earthquake. Central Geological Survey (CGS), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan. https://faultnew.moeacgs.gov.tw/Reports/More/63cc5a4b2020403d9f79d3c33a7aba0c. Accessed 31 March 2023 (in Chinese)

  • Chan PC, Hsieh PC, Lu A, Liu CY, Lin SR, Li CH, Lin ML, Huang WK (2018) Numerical simulation of interaction between surface rupture and structure of the 0206 Hualien Earthquake. Sino-Geotechnics 156:77–88 ((in Chinese))

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen WS (1997a) Lithofacies analyses of the arc-related sequence in Coastal Range, eastern Taiwan. J Geol Soc China 40:313–338

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen WS (1997b) Mesoscopic structures developed in the Lichi mélange during arc–continent collision in Taiwan region. J Geol Soc China 40(2):415–434

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen WS, Wang Y (1988) The Plio-Pleistocene basin development in the Coastal Range of Taiwan. Acta Geol Taiwanica 26:37–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen WS, Yen IC, Fengler KP, Rubin CM, Yang CC, Yang HC, Chang HC, Lin CW, Lin WH, Liu YC, Lin YH (2007) Late Holocene paleoearthquake activity in the middle part of the Longitudinal Valley fault, eastern Taiwan. Earth Planet Sci Lett 264(3–4):420–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.09.043

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z, Shi C, Li T, Yuan Y (2012) Damage characteristics and influence factors of mountain tunnels under strong earthquakes. Nat Hazards 61(2):387–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9924-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen KH, Wei Pen (2022) 2022/09/18 Guanshan-Chihshang earthquake sequence in Taiwan: seismological observations, Presentation in the Department of Earth Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei.

  • Chen KH, Toda S, Rau RJ (2008) A leaping, triggered sequence along a segmented fault: The 1951 ML 7.3 Hualien-Taitung earthquake sequence in eastern Taiwan. J Geophys Res, 113:B02304. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JB005048

  • Chen WS (1988) Tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins in Coastal Range, Taiwan. Ph.D. Dissertation, Natl Taiwan Univ, Taipei, Taiwan (in Chinese)

  • Cheng SN, Yeh YT, Hsu MT, Shin TC (1999) Photo gallery of top ten disastrous earthquakes in Taiwan. Central Weather Bureau (CWB), Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taipei

  • Cheng KC (1960) Report on the 1951 earthquake in Taiwan. In: Proceedings of 2nd world conference on earthquake engineering 1:397–408

  • Chou CC, Wu CL, Chai JF, Yao GC (2022) Reconnaissance report on seismic damage caused by Guanshan earthquake and Chihshang earthquake, Taiwan, 2022 V3.0, National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering. https://www.ncree.narl.org.tw/assets/file/20220918_EQ_NCREE_V3.0.pdf. Accessed 7 November 2022

  • CWB (2022a) Earthquake report: Earthquake No. 086 in 2022a. Central Weather Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan, R.O.C.. Accessed 7 November 2022a (in Chinese)

  • CWB (2022b) Earthquake report: Earthquake No. 111 in 2022b. Central Weather Bureau (CWB), Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan, R.O.C. Accessed 7 November 2022b (in Chinese)

  • CWB (2022c) Earthquake report query, Central Weather Bureau (CWB), Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan, R.O.C. https://scweb.cwb.gov.tw/en-us/earthquake/data. Accessed 7 November 2022c

  • FNN (2011) Ground liquefaction occurring in Urayasu city. Fuji News Network (FNN) https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=TI1quH8IT_4. Accessed 7 November 2022

  • Gentile R, Galasso C (2021) Accounting for directivity-induced pulse-like ground motions in building portfolio loss assessment. Bull Earthq Eng 19(15):6303–6328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-020-00950-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gülerce Z, Abrahamson NA (2010) Vector-valued probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for the effects of vertical ground motions on the seismic response of highway bridges. Earthq Spectra 26:999–1016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamada M (1992) Large ground deformations and their effects on lifelines: 1964 Niigata earthquake. In: Hamada M, O'Rourke TD (eds) Case studies of liquefaction and lifeline performance during past earthquakes, Vol. 1, Japanese case studies, Technical Report NCEER-92-0001. National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, Buffalo

  • Kuochen H, Wu YM, Chen YG, Chen RY (2007) 2003 Mw6.8 Chengkung earthquake and its related seismogenic structures. J Asian Earth Sci 31(3):332–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2006.07.028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu J (2021) Data cleaning and feature selection for gravelly soil liquefaction. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2021.106711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang HH, Wang Y (2022) Seismogenic structure beneath the northern Longitudinal Valley revealed by the 2018–2021 Hualien earthquake sequences and 3-D velocity Model. Terr Atmos Ocean Sci 33(1):17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44195-022-00017-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang JH, Yang CW, Chen CH (2003) Investigations on soil liquefaction during the Chi-Chi earthquake. Soils Found 43(6):107–123. https://doi.org/10.3208/sandf.43.6_107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iai S (1998) Rigid and flexible retaining walls during Kobe earthquake. In: 4th International conference on case histories in geotechnical engineering, St. Louis, MO

  • Ko YY, Hsu SY, Yang HC, Lu CC, Hwang YW, Liu CH, Hwang JH (2019) Soil liquefaction and ground settlements in 6 February 2018 Hualien, Taiwan. Earthq Seismol Res Lett 90(1):51–59. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220180196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokusho T, Kojima T (2002) Mechanism for postliquefaction water film generation in layered sand. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 128(2):129–137. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2002)128:2(129)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kunnath SK, Erduran E, Chai YH, Yashinsky M (2008) Effect of near-fault vertical ground motions on seismic response of highway overcrossings. J Bridge Eng 13(3):282–290. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1084-0702(2008)13:3(282)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee JC, Angelier J, Chu HT, Yu SB, Hu J-H (1998) Plate-boundary strain partitioning along the sinistral collision suture of the Philippine and Eurasian plates: analysis of geodetic data and geological observation in southeastern Taiwan. Tectonics 17(6):859–871. https://doi.org/10.1029/98TC02205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee JC, Angelier J, Chu HT, Hu JC, Jeng FS, Rau RJ (2003) Active fault creep variations at Chihshang, Taiwan, revealed by creep meter monitoring, 1998–2001. J Geophys Res 108(B11):2528. https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JB002394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liapopoulou M, Bravo-Haro MA, Elghazouli AY (2020) The role of ground motion duration and pulse effects in the collapse of ductile systems. Earthq Eng Struct Dyn 49(11):1051–1071. https://doi.org/10.1002/eqe.3278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin CW (2022) Geological investigation of September 18, 2022 Chihshang earthquake, Lecture Note, Seminar on the 2022/09/18 Chihshang Earthquake Sequence on 18 October, 2022, Taipei, Taiwan

  • Liu PC, Tsai CC (2022) Influence of local site condition on vertical-to-horizontal spectrum ratio–insight from site response analysis. J Earthq Eng 26(5):2283–2300. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2020.1759473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu TK, Hsieh SR, Chen YG, Chen WS (2001) Thermo-kinematic evolution of the Taiwan oblique-collision mountain belt as revealed by zircon fission track dating. Earth Planet Sci Lett 186:45–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(01)00232-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MOI (2022) Seismic design specifications and commentary of buildings, Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Taiwan

  • NLSC (2022) Ground surface displacement of September 18, 2022 Chihshang earthquake. National Land Surveying and Mapping Center, Ministry of the Interior

  • Obermeier SF, Olson SM, Green RA (2005) Field occurrences of liquefaction-induced features: a primer for engineering geologic analysis of paleoseismic shaking. Eng Geol 76:209–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2004.07.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palermo A, Liu R, Rais A, McHaffie B, Andisheh K, Pampanin S, Gentile R, Nuzzo I, Granerio M, Loporcaro G, McGann C, Wotherspoon L (2017) Performance of road bridges during the 14 November 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake. Bull N Z Soc Earthq Eng 50(2):253–270. https://doi.org/10.5459/bnzsee.50.2.253-270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rollins KM, Amoroso S, Milana G, Minarelli L, Vassallo M, Di Giulio G (2020) Gravel liquefaction assessment using the dynamic cone penetration test based on field performance from the 1976 Friuli Earthquake. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002252

  • Scawthorn CR (2000) The Marmara, Turkey earthquake of August 17, 1999, Reconnaissance report, Technical Report MCEER-00-0001. University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

    Google Scholar 

  • Shyu JBH, Sieh K, Chen YG, Chung LH (2006) Geomorphic analysis of the Central Range fault, the second major active structure of the Longitudinal Valley suture, eastern Taiwan. Geol Soc Am Bull 118(11–12):1447–1462. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25905.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shyu JBH, Chung LH, Chen YG, Lee JC, Sieh K (2007) Re-evaluation of the surface ruptures of the November 1951 earthquake series in eastern Taiwan, and its neotectonic implications. J Asian Earth Sci 31(3):317–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2006.07.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shyu JBH, Sieh K, Chen YG, Chuang RY, Wang Y, Chung LH (2008) Geomorphology of the southernmost Longitudinal Valley fault: Implications for evolution of the active suture of eastern Taiwan. Tectonics. https://doi.org/10.1029/2006TC002060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shyu JBH, Wu YM, Chang CH, Huang HH (2011) Tectonic erosion and the removal of forearc lithosphere during arc-continent collision: evidence from recent earthquake sequences and tomography results in eastern Taiwan. J Asian Earth Sci 42(3):415–422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2011.05.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shyu JBH, Yin YH, Chen CH, Chuang YR, Liu SC (2020) Updates to the on-land seismogenic structure source database by the Taiwan Earthquake Model (TEM) project for seismic hazard analysis of Taiwan. Terr Atmos Ocean Sci 31:469–478. https://doi.org/10.3319/TAO.2020.06.08.01

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SIEO (Suhua Improvement Engineering Office) (2020), Overall Construction Plan of Widening Project of Provincial Highway No. 9 (287K+000~292K+625), Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan

  • Suppe J (1981) Mechanics of mountain building and metamorphism in Taiwan. Mem Geol Soc China 4:67–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Takano D, Morikawa Y, Takahashi H (2016) Centrifuge modeling of sand boil on sand containing silt. Jpn Geotech Soc Spec Publ 2(23):875–879. https://doi.org/10.3208/jgssp.jpn-139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teng LS (1987) Tectonostratigraphic facies and geologic evolution of the Coastal Range, eastern Taiwan. Mem Geol Soc China 8:229–250

    Google Scholar 

  • TERC (2022) 2022-09-17 ML 6.4 Guanshan earthquake and 2022-09-18 ML 6.8 Chihshang earthquake. Taiwan Earthquake Research Center https://tec.earth.sinica.edu.tw/news_con.php?id=287. Accessed 7 November 2022 (in Chinese)

  • TRA (2022) Progress briefing of the repair works for the railway damage during 0918 Chihshang earthquake (4 October). Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA), Taipei. https://www.railway.gov.tw/tra-tip-web/tip/file/75081fbb-e344-422d-a857-fbdff6be448b. Accessed 7 November 2022 (in Chinese)

  • Tsai CC, Newman EJ (2014) Wedge size issues on calculating seismically induced lateral earth pressure for retaining structures—an overview and a new simple approach. J GeoEng 9(2):45–53. https://doi.org/10.6310/jog.2014.9(2).1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai CC, Meymand P, Dawson E, Wong SA (2015) Behaviour of segmental pipeline protective vaults subjected to fault offset. Struct Infrastruct Eng 11(10):1369–1382. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2014.964733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai CC, Hwang YW, Lu CC (2020) Liquefaction, building settlement, and residual strength of two residential areas during the 2016 southern Taiwan earthquake. Acta Geotech 15:1363–1379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai CC, Hsu SY, Wang KL, Yang HC, Chang WK, Chen CH, Hwang YW (2018) Geotechnical reconnaissance of the 2016 ML 6.6 Meinong Earthquake in Taiwan, J Earthq Eng 22(9):1710–1736. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2017.1297271

  • Tsai CC, Lin WC, Chu MC, Chi CC (2022) Experimental study on the mechanism of sand boils and associated settlements due to soil liquefaction in loose sand. Eng Geol 306:106708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106708

  • USGS (2022a) The September 18, 2022a, M 6.9 earthquake south-east of Lugu, Taiwan. Earthquake hazards program. United States Geological Survey. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/at00rie81r/executive. Accessed 7 November 2022a

  • USGS (2022b) The September 17, 2022b, M 6.5 earthquake 96 km south of Hualien City, Taiwan. Earthquake hazards program. United States Geological Survey. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000i8ui/executive. Accessed 7 November 2022b

  • Uzuoka R (2017) Ground liquefaction disasters in recent earthquakes. In: 28th Public Lecture of Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University on 11 October, 2017, Kyoto, Japan (in Japanese)

  • Wu YM, Chen YG, Chang CH, Chung LH, Teng TL, Wu FT, Wu CF (2006) Seismogenic structure in a tectonic suture zone: with new constraints from 2006 Mw6.1 Taitung earthquake. Geophys Res Lett. https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL027572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang HW, Beeson J (2001) The setback distance concept and 1999 Chi-Chi (Taiwan) earthquake. In: 4th International conference on recent advances in geotechnical earthquake engineering and soil dynamics, San Diego

  • Yegian MK, Ghahraman VG, Harutiunyan RN (1994) Liquefaction and embankment failure case histories, 1988 Armenia Earthquake. J Geotech Eng 120:581–596. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1994)120:3(581)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Prof. Chung-Chan Hung, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan, and Ms. Yu-Ching Lin, National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR), Taiwan, for providing the photographs. Gratitude is also due to Mr. Po-Lin Chu and Mr. Zi-Yi Huang, National Central University (NCU), Taiwan, for the arrangement and assistance during the reconnaissance and the preparation of this paper.

Funding

The authors have not disclosed any funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, Tainan, Taiwan

    Yung-Yen Ko

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

    Chi-Chin Tsai & Min-Chien Chu

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Jin-Hung Hwang

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan

    Yu-Wei Hwang

  5. Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Louis Ge

Authors
  1. Yung-Yen Ko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chi-Chin Tsai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jin-Hung Hwang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yu-Wei Hwang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Louis Ge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Min-Chien Chu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chi-Chin Tsai.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors have not disclosed any competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ko, YY., Tsai, CC., Hwang, JH. et al. Failure of engineering structures and associated geotechnical problems during the 2022 ML 6.8 Chihshang earthquake, Taiwan. Nat Hazards 118, 55–94 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-023-05993-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-023-05993-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation