Kizawa tunnel cracked on 23 October 2004 Mid-Niigata earthquake: An example of earthquake-induced damage to tunnels in active-folding zones

Earthquakes in active-folding zones often trigger long-lasting landform changes. Since an underground structure closely follows the motion of its surrounding soils and rocks even after it was damaged in an intense earthquake, experts in charge of reconstruction have to wait until they are convinced that the soils and rocks have been stabilized. Kizawa tunnel was seriously cracked during the 23 October 2004 Mid-Niigata Earthquake. The upper half of the tunnel's cross-section near the north mouth shifted about 0.5 m sideways. Since a ring-shaped cross-section of a tunnel sustains the surrounding soil pressure, this crack pattern seemed to be serious. The authors collaborated with the Nagaoka Regional Development Bureau, Niigata Prefectural Government, in investigating the causes of the damage and in conducting long-term observation of the soils and rocks. This paper summarizes some findings for rational rehabilitations through the investigations.