EFFECTS OF THE DECEMBER 26, 2004 SUMATRA EARTHQUAKE AND

TSUNAMI ON PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

MURAT SAATCIOGLU, AHMED GHOBARAH, AND IOAN NISTOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, THE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, OTTAWA,
ONTARIO, CANADA
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, MCMASTER UNIVERSITY, HAMILTON,
ONTARIO, CANADA

Genessis C. Cagubcob
BSA 3A

Abstract
On December 26, 2004, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami hits the coastal areas in Indian
Ocean. Engineers from Canada made a preliminary study in Thailand and Indonesia. This study
presented the findings in terms of the performance of the buildings, bridges, coastal structures
and other physical infrastructure. The researchers observed that most of the infrastructure
damaged was made by non-engineered reinforced concrete structures, low-rise timber frames,
and unreinforced masonry buildings. Moreover, a 3 to 5 story government buildings and
shopping centers were damaged due to lack of proper seismic design practices. The engineering
significance of disaster is presented in the paper with observations made during the
reconnaissance visit.
Background of the Study

An earthquake is a disaster that can kill thousands of lives in just a few minutes. A 9.3 magnitude
earthquake hits the coastal areas in Indian Ocean resulting to extensive seismic damage to the
engineering infrastructure in northern and southern Sumatra. Just after the earthquake, a
devastating tsunami was generated with wave heights exceeding 20m. The researchers from
Canada conducted a reconnaissance visit to Thailand and Indonesia. Its focus is to make an
investigation on the infrastructure that was damaged by the earthquake. The researchers believe
that this investigation will give a clear reason as to why some of the infrastructure was partially
or totally collapsed.
Methods
The researchers visited Thailand and Indonesia to make this investigation possible. The
investigation is divided into two: the investigation for earthquake and for the tsunami. Through
observation and investigation, the researchers collect the data needed for them to analyze the
reasons why majority of the buildings collapsed. For the investigation in tsunami, researchers
made six examinations in terms of the performance of the materials used, on how the buildings
construct, how the buildings designed and who designed the buildings. On the other hand, the
investigation for earthquake has been done by making five examinations.
Results
This reconnaissance conducted by the Canadian engineers proves that using a low-quality
material has a factor for the damages in Thailand and Indonesia. The researchers witness the
effects of using this material through their visit. This investigation might not be absolutely
assured but it can be a source for more investigation of other researcher. This investigation would
still have further studies for more accurate data.
Interpretation of the Study
Canadian engineers made a several conclusions with the study of the earthquake and tsunami
happens in the coastal area of Indian Ocean particularly in Thailand and Indonesia, First, forces
generated by tsunami wave pressure can be significantly higher than typical design wind
pressures, generating out of plane forces high enough to damage unreinforced masonry walls.

Another is the non-engineered low-rise reinforced concrete frame buildings, with small size
structural elements, are vulnerable to partial or full collapse due to lateral tsunami pressures. On
the other hand engineered reinforced concrete frames appear to have sufficient strength against
tsunami forces. Furthermore, Light timber frame buildings are extremely vulnerable to tsunami
wave pressures. Lastly, Reinforced concrete frames, designed and built without seismic design
and detailing practices, suffered significant damage due to ground shakings associated with the
earthquake. To sum up the following conclusions, it can be blamed the unreinforced masonry,
strong beams and weak columns, and lack of column and joint transverse reinforcement for the
partially or total collapsed buildings and infrastructure.
The researchers needs to public their conclusion with regards to the earthquake happens in the
coastal area in Indian Ocean. Announcing this kind of data in public could minimize the use of
weak materials.
Significance of the Study
The reconnaissance of Canadian engineers is important for us because it brings awareness to the
public with regards with this kind of disaster. It will also lessen the damage if this kind of
disaster will happen again. The study also promotes the importance of having good and high
quality buildings. Moreover, this is a big contribution to the public because of the lack of
knowledge with this matter.