Field survey following the 12.5.08 Wenchuan Earthquake in Sichuan Province, China (Urgent Application)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Architecture
Abstract
A field survey of the areas affected by the 12.05.08 earthquake is proposed with the aim of assembling quantitative damage data and developing the use of remote sensing for the monitoring of earthquake damage and recovery. The survey will be carried out in conjunction with researchers from Chongqing University, and a further aim is to establish a longer-term research collaboration with Chongqing and other Chinese Universities in the field of earthquake risk mitigation.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Michael Hector Ramage (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Brown D
(2011)
The use of remotely sensed data and ground survey tools to assess damage and monitor early recovery following the 12.5.2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China
in Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering
| Description | The M7.9Wenchuan earthquake on May 12th, 2008 was the most destructive in China since 1976. The event caused huge damage and loss of life and exposed weaknesses both in the formulation and implementation of the regulations governing building in the affected provinces. Following the earthquake a massive relief and recovery operation was mounted by the Chinese government. The authors took part in field studies in the affected area which took place 5 and 11 months after the event, at which time recovery operations were well-advanced. The aims of the study were to assess the effects caused by the earthquake to the built environment and society, to collect information on the ongoing recovery efforts and future plans, and to demonstrate the use of tools that allow the collection of spatially referenced damage and recovery data. Based on available satellite imagery supplemented by ground observation, geodatabases were constructed containing information on damage and recovery in several parts of the affected area. The paper gives an overview of the recovery process, describes the methods used to construct these geodatabases, and offers some analysis of the data obtained. It is argued that such databases have great potential for the management of post-disaster recovery and for creating a permanent record of the recovery process. |
| Exploitation Route | Aid agencies and international donors may find this research and its applications useful This research is important in post-disaster recovery monitoring and evaluation, and has since been put to use in Haiti following the Earthquake there. |
| Sectors | Construction,,Other |
| Description | Chongqing University (CQU) |
| Organisation | Chongqing University |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Start Year | 2008 |