国総研ニューズレター
NILIM News LetterNo.59

Winter 2017■■Field survey of Itoigawa city fire in Niigata Prefecture– Initial investigation of factors causing the fire to spread, and stopping its spread

Building Department, Urban Planning Department

The NILIM and the Building Research Institute carried out a fieldsurvey of the fire that occurred on December 22, 2016 in Itoigawa
City in Niigata Prefecture. The survey results are reported below.
The Building Department and Urban Planning Department ofNILIM, jointly with the Building Research Institute, carried outa field survey and an interview survey in Niigata Prefecture and
Itoigawa City from December 25 to 26, in order to study the damage
to buildings caused by the fire and the factors that caused the fire to
spread and that stopped the fire. The state of the damage clarified bythis survey is introduced below.
The fire, which started near the south end of the fire-damaged
district, spread fanned by a strong southerly wind until it reached
National Highway 8 at the northern end of the city. The fire-damaged
district extended over an area of up to about 300 m from north tosouth and 200 m from east to west. Photo 1, which was taken in thecenter of the fire-damaged district, shows that many buildings wereburned out leaving only piles of rubble.
Meanwhile, in the fire-damaged district, some buildings were only
slightly damaged, with cracked wired glass for example. The reason
is considered to be that the buildings were highly fire resistant, andPhoto 1. Damage in the center of thefire damaged district

Photo 2. Slightly damagedbuildings

there were empty lots beside them, leaving large gaps between themand the surrounding buildings (Photo 2).
The interview survey of residents and the state of damage at thescene of the fire revealed many spots where firebrands presumably
could have spread the fire.
The survey results have been released as a quick report on the NILIM
website. In the near future, a more detailed survey will be conducted tolearn why the fire spread, the way it spread, and why the fire stopped.
Details * Report of the field survey in the Itoigawa city fire in Niigata
Prefecture that occurred on December 22, 2016. (Quick report)

http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/bbg/saigai/h28/itoigawa01.pdf■■Verification of equipment inspection/diagnosis technologies using ICT–Efficiently inspecting/diagnosing equipment in wastewater treatment plants–Water Quality Control Department, Wastewater and Sludge Management Division

In order to appropriately manage equipment in deteriorated large
wastewater treatment plants, reduce life cycle cost, and optimize
investment, since 2015 the NILIM has conducted tests to verify two
maintenance technologies using ICT.

The second technology combines sensor-based machinery statusmonitoring with tablet inspections. Sensors continually monitor thevibration of equipment and accumulate data. Meanwhile, tablets
are used in daily inspections to accumulate inspection record data.
Maintenance data accumulated by both technologies is used toefficiently diagnose and predict deterioration of equipment.
The verification testing of these two revolutionary technologies
will continue this year, and the spread of the technologies will help
establish efficient equipment operation, thereby improving theproductivity of overall wastewater treatment systems.

At wastewater treatment plants, dealing with advanced deteriorationof plant equipment is a challenge, and the cost of maintenance islikely to continue to rise. In order for local governments facing harshfinancial circumstances to prolong the service lifetimes of equipment
in deteriorated large wastewater treatment plants, it is necessary
to perform inspections at low cost and to repair and replace theDetails * NILIM (website, B-DASH Project)equipment at appropriate times.
http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/ecg/bdash/bdash.htm
Accordingly, as part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism’s project named ‘BreakthroughSensing technologies
State of deterioration clarification/
State of deterioration clarification/(vibration diagnosis)
diagnosis technology
diagnosis technology
by Dynamic Approach in Sewage HighOPC server
Fan blower
Technology Project’ (B-DASH Project), sinceControl use PC
Vibration sensor
2015 verification tests of two technologies for
Station A
diagnosing deterioration using ITC have been
Instrument panel
performed as contract research by the NILIM.
Sludge pump A
One technology combines monitoring
Big data
analysis engine
equipment using vibration sensors with big data
Electrical instruments
Station B
analysis. Vibration sensors detect abnormal
Vibration sensor
Introductioneffects
operation of rotating machines to prevent sudden
Lowers repair costs by
preventing sudden breakdowns
malfunctions. Based on big data analysis, its
Flow meter Water quality
Sludge pump B
sensorExtends dismantling inspection/
relationship between large volumes of data
facility replacement cycles
Vibration sensor
inside wastewater treatment plants is used toReduces personnel expense part ofinspection costdetect precursors of equipment anomalies toEnacts efficient service
Maintenance datalife
extension plans
predict deterioration (see the figure).
Figure Overview of verification testing1■■Enacting Pavement Inspection Rules– Aiming to prolong the lifetime of pavement and lower life cycle costs –Road Structures Department, Pavement and Earthworks Division

In October 2016, the Road Bureau of the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism released the Pavement
Inspection Rules.

Characteristics

Major roads(Image)Class• High standard trunk roads etc.
(Roads with high service levels
required for high-speed traveling)A• Neighborhood streets etc.
(damage progresses very slowly, andwithout the impact of private work,
have long service lives)

DMunicipal roadC

National highway• Roads where damage progresses slowly etc.
(for example, roads with little large vehicle
traffic)

Prefectural road

B

Ordinance designated city road• Roads where damage progresses quicklyetc.
(for example, roads with much large vehicle
traffic)

Expressway

Japan’s pavement stock is massive, equivalent to about 1 million
kilometers in road length. Like bridges and tunnels, pavement mustalso be maintained more efficiently by setting a maintenance cycle
and performing preventive maintenance.
In response to discussions by the Road Technology Panel of theRoad Subcommittee, the Council for Social Infrastructure, a seriesof studies of inspection rules were conducted by the Road Bureauof the MLITT, the NILIM, and the Public Works Research Institutewhich, on October 19, 2016, enacted the Pavement Inspection Rules,
which the Road Bureau of the MLITT distributed to road managers astechnology guidance for regional governments.
The Pavement Inspection Rules were drawn up to be used toperform repairs more efficiently and improve drivability and comfort
according to road characteristics.
The rate of deterioration of pavement varies greatly according
tothe traffic volume of heavy vehicles, and the required service levelalso varies with travel speed. Therefore, as shown in the figure, roads
are categorized into four classes according to the traffic volume ofheavy vehicles and road characteristics, and an inspection method is
stipulated for each class. Also, as basic inspection concepts, basedon the structural properties of each type of pavement, for asphalt
pavement, an “inspection intended to prolong the service lifetimeby protecting the layers underneath the base course by repairing thesurface and the binder course as necessary” is done. For concrete
pavement, “an inspection intended to utilize the high durability ofconcrete pavement for a long time” is done.

With the enactment of the inspection rules, based on informationand technical knowledge obtained in the future, the NILIM willcontinue to perform technical studies to prolong the service lifetimeof pavement based on initiatives taken by road managers.

Figure Image of road classifications

Details * MLIT, Road Bureau (Pavement Inspection Rules)
http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/ir/ir-council/pdf/yobo28_10.pdf■■Publication of the Hydraulic Experiment Manual on Evaluating the Wave StabilityPerformance of Artificial Reef Protective Blocks

River Department, Coast Division

To prevent the scattering of concrete covering blocks used
to protect the mounds of artificial reefs, we have publishedthe Hydraulic Experiment Manual on Evaluating the Wave
Stability Performance of Artificial Reef Protective Blocks.
An artificial reef is a mound works with the main part being amound body cross-section, and covering work that prevents its
deformation. The shoal effect of the mound deforms waves andcauses them to break. Artificial reefs are widely used because they
reduce spray and restore panoramic views on the shore. In 2013, there
were 1,287 such reefs on the shorelines of Japan.
The manual defines the following three important experimentconditions shown in the figure for evaluating performance underconditions near the site when selecting the type of covering blocks
during the detailed design: a) stipulates the use of irregular waves thatcan reproduce the waveform that approximates the actual waves on
the ocean, b) specifies the use of waves with a long period similar toswells, which tend to cause scattering on-site, c) unifies model shapes,permitting evaluation of the same rank regardless of the developerof the blocks. It also stipulates that an experiment report clarify theconditions and results of experiments by, for example, showing thenumber of scattered blocks that is considered to be the allowed limitof fluctuation.
This manual will improve the reliability of selecting blocks,permitting the design of safer artificial reefs.
Details * NILIM website (NILIM Report No. 927)
http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/bcg/siryou/tnn/tnn0927.htm

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Figure Three test condition settings stipulated by the manual■■NILIM Lecture Meeting 2016 held

Planning and Research Administration Department, Planning Division

The NILIM Lecture Meeting 2016 was held on December 8, 2016
in Nissho Hall.
The NILIM Lecture Meeting is held annually to broadly introduce
initiatives taken by the NILIM by presenting comprehensive
lectures and reports about recent research outputs, research themes
and trends at the NILIM. This year’s Lecture Meeting was attended
by 652 representatives of private companies, national and regional
governments, and public corporations.
A special lecture was given by Dr. Kubo Tetsuo, Professor
Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, titled “Building Damage
by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake following Past EarthquakeDamage” (Photo). Dr. Kubo referred to many specific cases as
he discussed damage to buildings by past earthquakes and theKumamoto Earthquake, trends in research on seismic engineeringand seismic design, and the study of seismic engineering as
empirical engineering based on these.
Other lectures included “NILIM disaster activities and NILIM’s
technological support for restoration and recovery based on its
knowledge and experience of past disasters” as a special session.
The general session included lectures on three themes, “Improvingproductivity”, “Strengthening maintenance and competitiveness”,
and “Preventing and mitigating disasters”. All research departments
and center introduced research outcomes, and survey and research
trends etc. undertaken in response to recent needs in various fields.
Documents presented at the event can be viewed at the following
website.

Photo. Professor Emeritus Kubo Tetsuo

Details * NILIM website, NILIM 2016 Lecture Meeting
http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/bbg/kouenkai/kouenkai2016/kouenkai2016.htm■■Initiative to Visualize International Port Logistics– Technical Support for the Development of NEAL-NET –Administrative Coordination Department, Port and Harbor Department

The NILIM provides technical support for NEAL-NET, which
visualizes container logistics at major ports in Japan, China, andKorea, in order to contribute to more efficient international port
logistics.
Economic globalization and growth of supply chains have beenaccompanied by a growing need for Japan’s shippers and logistics
companies that handle international cargo to understand thepresent status of cargoes, not only within Japan but including themovement of cargoes with other countries. Accordingly, at the 2010
Third China - Japan - Korea Ministerial Conference on Maritime
Transport and Logistics, the three countries agreed to build theNortheast Asia Logistics Information Service Network (NEALNET) to share container logistics information for major ports inthe countries. In 2014, port logistics information systems operated
by the governments of the three countries were linked to begin
providing container vessel departure and arrival times and container
location information in major ports in international maritime
container transport between the three countries. Following this startup, studies continued on topics such as expanding its functions,increasing ports where it can be used and even extending it tothe area outside of Japan, Korea, and China such as Europe. This
series of innovations is an advanced example from an international
perspective, as it is an international integration of government
operated port logistics information systems.
The NILIM has, in cooperation with the MLIT, conductedsystem development from enacting a communication agreement
to internationally link port logistics information systems to system
linking testing, and has also prepared a technical manual. The
development of this system requires coordination with China andKorea, so Japanese, Chinese, and Korean government experts

including NILIM researchers conduct discussions at NEALNET technical meetings held every year. In 2016, at the technicalmeetings held in September in Seoul, Korea and in November
in Xiamen City, China, participants discussed the enactment of acommunication agreement concerning procedures for containers incontainer yards in order to further improve services for users.
The NILIM will continue to technically support the developmentof NEAL-NET to bring greater benefits to users.

Photo. View of NEAL-NET Technical Meeting (Nov. 2016)

Details * NILIM website (NILIM Report No. 865)
http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/bcg/siryou/tnn/tnn0865.htm

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●●Publication (research achievements) < December, 2016-February, 2017 >Download from here * http://www.nilim.go.jp/lab/bcg/siryou/index.htm

PROJECT RESEARCH REPORT of NILIM
No.
53

Title of Paper

Project Leaders

Development of Building Evaluation/Design Technologies to Lower Dependence on Electric Power

Directer of Housing Department

TECHNICAL NOTE of NILIM
No.

Title of Paper

Names of Divisions

915

Sedimentation Rate in Coastal Regions in Tokyo bay

Marine Environment Division

916

Consideration of the spatial arrangement of settlement habitats for free-living larvae

Marine Environment Division

917

A New Method for the Quantitative Evaluation of Services of Tidal Flats

Marine Environment Division

918

Damage to Nemuro Port and Its Surrounding Areas due to the Storm Surges and Waves of Typhoon 1523

Coastal Disaster Prevention
Division

919

Study on Construction Works and Structural Design of Shore Protection Facilities in Port Areas for Their
Improvement and Maintenance

Coastal, Marine and Disaster
Prevention Department

920

Damage to Port Areas along Seto Inland Sea due to Storm Surge and Waves of Typhoon 1511

Coastal Disaster PreventionDivision921

Damage to Kushiro Port due to Storm Surge of an Extratropical Cyclone in 2015

Coastal Disaster Prevention
Division

922

A bayesian inversion for a directional spectrum of ocean waves in shallow water using HF radar

Coastal Zone Systems Division

923

Analysis on World Container Ship Movementand Containerized Cargo Flow（2015）

Port Planning Division

924

An Analysis on Actual Practices of Waterway Navigation Using Tidal Window

Port Planning Division

925

A Study on Volume and Flow of Import/Export Maritime Container Cargo of Domestic Region

Port Systems Division

926

Considerations of Level 1 Reliability Design Method for Vertically Pile-Supported Wharves underBerthing Condition(Part 1)

Port Facilities Division930

B-DASH Project No.11
Guideline for introducing hydrogen generation from sewage biogas source

Wastewater and Sludge
Management Division
Water Quality Control Department

936

Survey on the flood disasters caused by the Yamaguchi- Shimane torrential rain and Typhoon 18th in2013

Flood Disasters Prevention
Division

937

Technical Regulations of one-Story Social Housing (Concrete Block and Confined Masonry) and Adobe
for one-Story Housing in Republic of El Salvador(Japanese Version)

Structural Standards Division

940

B-DASH Project No.16
Guideline for introducing an operation support system of inundation measure facilities utilizing ICT

Water Quality Control Department

946

Study on Plan for Facilitating Provision of Publicly-Operated Housing
after the Great East Japan Earthquake―Study on Measures to Grasp Wishes for Publicly-Operated Housing―

Housing Planning Division●●We provide you with research information.

・2016 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/annual2016/ar2016e.html

National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management
Ministry 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
Winter 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.59

国 総 研 ニ ューズ レ ター

NILIM News Letter