Relationship between the localization of earthquake surface ruptures and building damages associated with the Wenchuan 8.0 earthquake
汶川8.0级地震地表变形局部化样式与建筑物破坏特征关系初步研究

Based on in-situ measurements of the earthquake surface ruptures and surveys of building damage associated with the Wenchuan earthquake along the measured profile, various types of earthquake surface ruptures and their associated features of building damages are analyzed in this paper. Moreover, the relationship between the gradient of the surface deformation and the building damage degree is quantitatively discussed. The results indicate that, regardless of fault scarp type, the surface rupture or strong deformation would be localized within an average width of 10~30 m across the seismogenic fault. The most direct factor affecting the building damages is the gradient of surface deformation in the site, where the building is located. Generally speaking, at a site where the gradient of surface deformation is equal to or larger than 0.1, the buildings will be completely destroyed; at a site where the gradient ranges from 0.07 to 0.1, the buildings will be subjected to serious damage, and at a site where the gradient ranges from 0.03 to 0.07, the buildings with a certain seismic resistance will be subject to a moderate damage, resulting in tilting and deformation, but generally will not be collapsed, while at a site where the gradient is less than 0.03, the buildings with a certain seismic resistance may suffer generally from light damage or even remains intact.