Natural disasters can trigger chemical accidents (so-called Natech accidents) with severe consequences on man or the envi-ronment. This work highlights the main characteristics of earthquake-triggered Natechs by describing our insights from a field trip to chemical facilities in the area affected by the 12 May, 2008, Wenchuan earthquake in China. Our preliminary results indicate that damage was most severe in older facilities with masonry and un- or poorly reinforced concrete struc-tures being the most vulnerable. Debris impact and the shaking loads caused damage to and loss of equipment and pipes where hazardous-materials releases occurred. Emergency response on-site was hampered by a loss of lifelines.
KRAUSMANN Elisabeth;
CRUZ Ana Maria;
AFFELTRANGER Bastien;
2009-10-27
Atlantis Press
JRC51921
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC51921,
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