Wenchuan, Sichuan Province, China, Earthquake of 2008 Lifeline Performance

Sponsored by the Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering of ASCE On May 12, 2008, an earthquake with an epicenter in Yingxiu struck a mountainous region 90 km northwest of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, and affected an estimated 4.6 million people. Extensive and massive landslides and rockslides occurred following the 7.9 magnitude event, rendering many towns and villages across Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces inaccessible. Emergency services, rescue, and relief were extremely difficult. This TCLEE Monograph discusses the following lifelines with recommendations for improving performance: transportation infrastructure; electric power systems; potable water systems and dams; telecommunications systems; and residential and public buildings, including schools. General seismology of the event, geotechnical features of the area, and a discussion of the emergency response efforts and lessons learned are also included. TCLEE 39 will be of interest to civil engineers, emergency managers and planners, and government officials charged with improving resilience of lifeline infrastructure systems during earthquakes, landslides, and rockslides.