国総研ニューズレター●●Schedule of Principal Events
Scheduled Dates

NILIM News Letter

Event Name

November 18

Open House “Public Works Day” (Tsukuba)

December 6

The Lecture Meeting of NILIM (2017)●●Publication (research achievements) <Jun, 2017-August, 2017 >PROJECT RESEARCH REPORT of NILIM
Title of Paper
Study on Environmental Restoration Technique in Port and Harbor Damaged by the “Great East Japan
Earthquake of 2011”

Director of Coastal, Marine andDisaster Prevention Department

57

Research on Techniques for Improving Port Area Safety from Tsunamis

Director of Coastal, Marine andDisaster Prevention Department

TECHNICAL NOTE of NILIM
Title of Paper

Names of Divisions

884

Performance Validation Test Protocols on NDT Tools for the Inspection of Road Bridge and Structures:
NDT Tools for Post-Installed Anchor Bolts

Bridge and Structures Division

953

Study on the Unified Performance Validation Test Protocols for the Holding Measures of Surface Concrete
Chunks of Structures

Bridge and Structures Division954

A Proposal on Design Method for wave force of Breakwater with Reinforcing Embankment

Port Facilities Division

955

A Basic Study of the Level 1 Reliability-based Design Method of Circular Slip Failure Verification by Modified
Fellenius ’ Method

Port Facilities Division

956

A Basic Study on Level 1 Reliability Design Method for Anchored Sheet Pile Quay Wall in a Permanent DesignSituation

Port Facilities Division

957

Study on Safety Consideration of Mooring and Detachment work in Installation of Ancillary Equipment ofMooring Facilities

Port Construction Systems andManagement Division

958

Analysis of the Future Trends in Trade Considering Changes in the Economic Environment of the Asia andPacific Region Using Computable General Equilibrium Model (GTAP Model)International Coordination Division959

A field experiment for the simple measurement of tide level using ultrasoundCoastal Disaster Prevention Division

960

Numerical Simulations on Inundation due to Storm Surge for Port Areas in Ise Bay

Coastal Disaster Prevention Division

961

Analysis of Future Trend of World Container Ship Building in Terms of Freight Capacity and Ship Size

Port Systems Division

962

A Study on Adoption of the Reliability-based Design in the Earthquake Resistance of the Airport

Airport Department

963

A simultaneous Equations Model for Strategic Determination of Aircraft Size and Frequency by Airlines inJapan

Airport Planning Division964

An Analysis of Inbound Tourists’ Airport Choice in Japan

Airport Planning Division

965

Analysis on World Container Ship Movement and Containerized Cargo Flow (2016)

Port Planning Division

966

Research and Development Report on Sewerage, 2016

Water Quality Control Department

968

A Draft of Technical Manual for Dam Anchor Inspection

Large-scale Hydraulic Structure
Division

969

Technical note on development of system to clarify state of damage to road bridges by an earthquake

Earthquake Disaster Management
Division

972

Questionnaire survey on controlling alien plants in river management

Landscape and Ecology Division

975

Research on construction method and its performance evaluation of external envelope of timber framedhouses for durability upgrading.

Structural Standards Division

977

Technical note on seismic performance evaluation of coastal dikes mainly made of soils

Coast Division980

Report of the Survey on the Building Damage by the Large Fire Occurred in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefectureon December 22, 2016

Urban Disaster Mitigation Division●●We provide you with research information.

・2017 Annual Report of NILIM
This web site introduces NILIM activities throughout the year, including research activities and achievements,
future initiatives, etc.
Go to this web site: * http://www.nilim.go.jp/english/annual/annual2017/ar2017e.html

National Institute for Land and Infrastructure ManagementMinistry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Asahi 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0804, Japan(Tachihara) Tachihara 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0802, Japan(Yokosuka) Nagase 3-1-1, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 239-0826, Japan
Summer 2017
TEL:+81-29-864-2754 FAX:+81-29-864-4322
http://www.nilim.go.jp/english/eindex.htm
Edited and Published by National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management

No.61

国 総 研 ニ ューズ レ ター

Building Department and Urban Planning Department

Project Leaders

55

No.

Summer 2017■■Release of Results of Investigation of the Large-scale Fire in Itoigawa City– Analysis of the spread of fire by sparks blown by strong wind –Download from here * http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/bcg/siryou/index.htm

No.

No.61

NILIM News Letter

The NILIM has announced the results of its investigation andanalysis of the spread of the large-scale fire that occurred in
Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture on December 22, 2016, whichit conducted in collaboration with the Building Research Institute.
This article outlines the results of the investigation and analysis
which were announced on July 28 of this year.
From videos of the fire, the investigators analyzed the time anddirection of the spread of the fire to each building in order to draw up
a diagram of the spreading dynamics and to identify which buildings
were ignited by sparks from buildings that were already burning.
On many of these buildings, fire damage was limited to the roof or
the fire started on the roof and then spread to the rest of the building,so fire tests were performed to confirm whether or not sparks passed
through the tiles and ignited the roof underlayer (Photo 1). The testing
was done by preparing specimens using tile roofs based on prewar
specifications common in that region and specimens of tile roofs basedon modern specifications, and then comparing the frequencies withwhich each type of specimen caught fire. The results confirmed thatwhen the wind was blowing at 10 m/s, on the tile roofs based on prewar
specifications, the roof underlayer burnt through (Photo 2), but on thetile roofs based on modern specifications, it did not burn through.

Photo 1 Test of fire ignition by sparks

Photo 2 Example of fire burning
through roof underlayer

Urban fire simulations were done by preparing data that
reproduced local conditions when the fire occurred – a mixture ofold buildings constructed before the war – and data representing acase where fire prevention measures were taken on all external walls
or windows of old buildings and the tile roofs were of the modernspecifications. The results also confirmed that if fire prevention
measures are also taken on old buildings and modern specification
roofs are built, sparks will not spread a fire, sharply reducing thenumber of fire-damaged buildings.
Details * NILIM website (Technical Note of NILIM No. 980)
http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/bcg/siryou/tnn/tnn0980.htm■■National Road Census Announcement of Results of the Survey of Traffic Conditions on All
National Highways and Municipal Streets in Japan, 2015 (General Road Traffic Volume Survey)

Road Traﬃc Department Road Division

In the autumn of 2015, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport, and Tourism conducted the Survey of Traffic Conditions
on All National Highways and Municipal Streets in Japan, whichis also called the National Road Census. The results of the General
Road Traffic Volume Survey were summarized and announced inJune of this year.

General Traffic Volume Survey. Vehicle-kilometers traveled, whichindicates road traffic demand, remains flat overall, with a tendency
toward higher speeds among large vehicles and on expressways.
Overall, the average travel speed during congestion shows adeclining trend (Fig. 1).
In the future, research will be conducted on increasing efficiency
by, for example, applying ETC2.0 probe information to theAutomobile Start and Stop Point Survey.

The Survey of Traffic Conditions on All National Highways andMunicipal Streets in Japan consists of the General Road TrafficDetails * 2015 Survey of Traffic Conditions on All National Highways andVolume Survey (clarification of road traffic conditions and theMunicipal Streets in Japan website
state of traffic facilities) and the Automobile Start and Stop Point
http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/census/h27/
Survey (clarification of the movement of automobiles between
districts). The results of the surveys will be used to draw up
Notes:
Travel speed during congestion refers to travel speed during the congested rush-hourroad plans and to maintain and repair roads.
period in the morning (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) and evening (17:00 to 19:00). Here, it iscalculated based on travel speed in the slower of inbound/outbound on basic traffic
For the General Road Traffic Volume Survey, the Road
volume survey sections.
*N ote that changes of trends in travel speed on national expressways could be caused
Division studied the survey method to perform the survey
by differences in survey methods.
Survey method in 2010: calculated based on ETC and differences in times entering andmore efficiently and effectively. For the Traffic Volume
leaving toll booths on toll pass tickets.
Survey method in 2015: calculated based on ETC2.0 probe data
Survey, mechanical observations were widely introduced,Values in ( ) are reference values calculated by the 2010 survey method
specifically, on 50% of sections (38% during the previoussurvey) on National Highways. Travel speeds (speed including
stopping to wait for signals to change or in traffic congestion)
were surveyed, using ETC2.0 probe information for the firsttime on 66% of the total road length surveyed, and by finely
1994 1997 1997 2005 2010 2015
1994 1997 1997 2005 2010 2015
1994 1997 1997 2005 2010 2015
1994 1997 1997 2005 2010 2015
demarcating survey sections, it was possible to clarify the state
Urban expressway
National highway
Prefectural road
National expressway
of conditions according to more actual circumstances.
Figure 1. Changing average travel speeds during congestion periods (business days)
The following is an overview of the major results of the1

■■Revision of the Technology Standards for Road Bridges

Road Structures Department, Bridge and Structures Division

The Technical Standards for Road Bridges, which are design
standards for road bridges, have been revised substantially by, forexample, introducing the partial factor design method.
The Technical Standards for Road Bridges have been revised in
response to the latest technical knowledge and social conditions,etc., but this is the most sweeping revision since their enactment. OnJuly 21, 2017, it was announced by the Directors of the City Bureau
and Road Bureau of MLIT.
This revision replaced the existing allowed stress design
method with the partial factor design method and the limit state
design method as the foundation of the verification system while
maintaining the performance regulations introduced by the revisionof 2001 in order to improve productivity and achieve good quality,
long-lasting road bridges.
The allowed stress design method used in the past used empiricalload combinations and safety factors to consider variations of theload, material, and strength of members and considers types offailure that should be avoided.
However, changes in various bridge conditions or structuralforms accompanying progress in structural analysis and technicaldevelopment of materials have transformed the scale and rates ofloads borne by each member. Therefore, in order to more accurately
evaluate performance, a method is now needed that can be used
to reconsider not only empirical load combinations, but also
appropriate load combinations according to changing conditions. In
order to evaluate the design strength of new materials and compound
members, a method is needed that can calculate the strength
predicted by the design based on data concerning the variations ofmaterials and execution and precision of design methods, etc.
This existing safety factor was divided into five partial factors,
which were separately stipulated. Specifically these are partial
factors which are multiplied by loads according to variations of theloads themselves and differences in the frequency of occurrenceof load combinations; partial factors which consider variationsof material strength, variations of execution, and the precision ofdesign formulas or quality or quantity of foundation data; partial
factors that consider the quality of ground surveys or structural
analysis; and partial factors according to differences in type offailure; and regulates each of these partial factors (Fig).
The Bridge and Structures Division has conducted research toconvert to the partial factor design system, which is a standard
format for international technical standards based on the conceptof reliability design, and this revision reflects many achievements
including the factors multiplied by loads.
By clarifying the methods of evaluating performance regardlessof how materials are combined and the quality and quantity of dataneeded for this evaluation, the development and introduction of
new technologies will be encouraged. Introduction of the design
method will also permit rational evaluations of performance, evenof existing structures, in the future.
This revision will also define the limit state of bridges underearthquakes and various other loads and also set regulations thatwill ensure the safety and functions under multiple limit states.
Clarifying common performance factors required of bridges will,
even based on this fact, encourage the introduction of various
structures and new materials.
Seismic design has also been revised in order to reflect thecompletion of regulations concerning durability performance andlessons taught by damage caused by the Kumamoto Earthquakeof 2016 to improve resistance to damage, and to simplify therestoration of damaged bridges.
The new technological standards will be applied to designs newly
started after January 1, 2018.

This manual stipulates rules governing the use of this program.
For example, it concretely stipulates what kinds of building
materials or equipment (air-conditioners or lighting fixtures, etc.)
is to be evaluated, and what values are entered as the efficiency ofeach machine (links to test results based on JIS or other standards).
In order for the results of judgments by this program to be used
for administrative procedures, it is important to set detailed rules
governing the methods of using it so that no matter who uses it, theresults are identical.
The NILIM will create an environment to develop evaluation
programs and to build rules in order to be able to accurately andimpartially judge whether or not buildings comply with energy

saving standards.
* It is an on-line program that runs on Web browsers. Users canjust enter the building’s insulation specifications, performance of
window glass, and efficiency of air-conditioners and of lighting
fixtures, etc. to find out if the energy consumption performanceof the building complies with standards demanded by the nationalgovernment. The program can be used free of charge, and is usedby about 1,500 people every day.
Details * NILIM website (Technical Note of NILIM No. 973, 974)
http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/bcg/siryou/tnn/tnn0973.htm
http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/bcg/siryou/tnn/tnn0974.htm

Details * Ministry of Infrastructure, Land, Transport and Tourism, Road
Bureau website, Revision of the Technology Standards for
Bridges and Viaducts, etc. (Road Bridge Specifications)

http://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/road01_hh_000862.html

Figure 1. Interface of the Primary Energy Consumption Calculation Program for Non-residential Buildings

Existing safety factor under the allowed stress method■■Proving Test to Confirm the Safety of Marinas for Wheelchair Users

Coastal, Marine and Disaster Prevention Department, Coastal Zone Systems Division

Load factor

Resistance factor

Modifier for structural modeling uncertainty

Factor used to consider variations ofthe load itself

Factor used toconsider variations ofmaterial strength andexecution

Factor used to consider the precision of design equations
and quality or quantity etc. of supporting data
Factor used to consider the quality of ground survey orstructural analysis

The first proving test to confirm the safety of a marina forwheelchair users in Japan has been conducted in Shonan Harbor.

Modifier for consequence of inelasticity

In response to the increase in marine recreation in Japan, there isa major need to introduce barrier-free universal design to marinas.
An NPO that supports sailing activities by disabled people hasdrawn up the Guideline to Marine Facilities for Disabled People inpreparation for the 32nd Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and theMLITT Ports and Harbours Bureau and the NILIM Coastal Zone
Systems Division have provided technical advice to the NPO andassistance with this initiative. On June 12, 2017, the first proving
test to confirm the safety of a marina for wheelchair users, which
is a nationwide initiative, was conducted at Shonan Harbor in
Kanagawa Prefecture, clarifying the relationship of the gradientand usability of a bridge connecting the top of the revetment witha pontoon. The results showed that depending on the tide level,
the gradient of the connecting bridge makes it difficult to move awheelchair up the bridge, and even at the 1/12 grade which is thestandard for normal universal design, it is dangerous and difficult fora wheelchair user to use the bridge alone.It also revealed the need toinstall handrails or decks made of materials that resist slipping. The
future position of this result in the guidelines and other matters will
be studied.

Load combination factor
Factor used to consider differences infrequency of load combinations

Factor according to differences in type of failure

Fig. 1 Allowed stress method and partial factor method■■Announcement of a Manual for a Program that Judges the Energy Consumption
Performance of Buildings

Housing Department, Building Environment Division

The NILIM has announced a program that judges the energy
consumption performance of buildings. It has also released amanual for this program as a Technical Note of the NILIM.
Beginning in April 2017, when a non-residential building witha floor area of 2,000 m2 or larger is to be newly constructedor modified, the building must comply with energy efficiency
standards set by the national government. The NILIM has, in2collaboration with the Building Research Institute (BRI), developed
and released a program that judges compliance with this energy
efficiency standard.
The NILIM has recently announced manuals for two programs
concerning non-residential buildings: (Technical Note of the NILIM
No. 973 “Manual for the Primary Energy Consumption Calculation
Program for Non-residential Buildings)”, and Technical Note ofthe NILIM No. 974 “Manual for Model Building Method Input
Assistant Tool”).

Photo Wheelchair during the proving test of a connecting bridge

Details * press release
http://www.ysk.nilim.go.jp/oshirase/press-release20170607-01.pdf

3