December 1997

Dear Readers:

The first volume of "Civil Engineering in Japan" was published in 1961 by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers to introduce civil engineering activities in Japan to the international community of common interest. We are proud of the accomplishments that the journal has achieved over the past 35 years.

Now, however, the editorial board would like to move on a stage by changing the name of the journal from "Civil Engineering in Japan" to "Civil Engineering, JSCE", a title more appropriate to our future goals and objectives.

We would like to thank the authors and members who have contributed toward the successful publication of this issue of "Civil Engineering, JSCE". We hope that it proves interesting for you, the readers, and beg your continuing support for future publications. Please write to JSCE headquarters if you have comments or suggestions regarding this journal.

Sincerely,

Teruhiko YODA

Editor in Chief

Civil Engineering, JSCE

[The JSCE is not responsible for any statements made or opinion expressed in this publication]

Toru ABE?, Osamu KUSAKABE, Hiroyuki SAITO, Tetsuya TAKESHITA

Hideyuki HORII, Takashi NOMURA, Kenichi SAITO, Yoshitomo TANI

Fumio ITO, Tadahiko OKUMURA, Tomoya SHIBAYAMA

Makoto KIMURA, John RABONE, Atsushi SUZUKI

Civil Engineering, JSCE 1997

Foreword

By Akira MIYAZAKI

Guest Report

Lessons Learned from the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu (Kobe) Earthquake;

- JSCE's Proposals on Measures Against Future Earthquakes -

By Masanori HAMADA

Project Reports and Technical Developments

Twenty-First Century Super Highway Constructed with New Technology

By Shinichi HINO

The Soundness of the Longest Tunnel in the World

By Noriyoshi NIRASAWA

Nishiseto Expressway's Kurushima Bridge

By Hiroyuki MIZUGUCHI

A Huge Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Kazuno River

By Hiromichi YOSHIKAWA

A 21st Century LNG Terminal 

By Koichi MAEKAWA

Seismic Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Railway Viaducts with

Fiber Plastic Sheets

By Hajime WAKUI and Nobuyuki MATSUMOTO

Contents of the Latest Issues of the English Journals from JSCE

Application for JSCE Membership 

At the end of 1997, JSCE sponsored a joint symposium called "Technological Feasibility to the Global Warming Prevention: Approaches in the Civil Engineering and Related Fields in Japan" with the Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3), which evoked a good public response and brought JSCE to the limelight. In this way, the desire to incorporate topics of interest to the international community in the society's activities, such as the global environmental problem, is evident.

I had the opportunity, as chairman of this society, to attend the Annual Convention of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE) in October. As for ASCE, they sponsored a round table conference to discuss the topic "Sustainable Development and its Applications," which had the participation of fifteen national societies. There was a wide difference of opinion among various countries in relation to this topic, because of the varied cultures and social backgrounds, and the varying stages of economic development of the countries. This instance re-awakened the awareness in me that steady efforts and strategies are essential for realizing effective international exchanges.

Today, the Japan Society of Civil Engineers has international agreements with the societies/associations of nine other countries. We have long been aware of the need for internationalization in the society, but until now our international activities have mainly concentrated on personal exchanges, while concrete goals have remained undefined. From now on, however, definite international contributions will be expected of the society not only in relation to environmental problems, but also in relation to international matters such as technical standards, qualification of engineers, exchange of technical information and promotion of joint research.

Together with ASCE and PICE (Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers), JSCE will host the "1st Civil Engineering International Conference on Asian Infrastructure, Sustainable Development, and Project Management." At the conference, discussions will focus on infrastructure construction, sustainable development and project management in Asia. We look forward to positive participation from you all, and we hope to make our own contribution at the international level by co-hosting such events.

The Japan Society of Civil Engineers dispatched a special survey team to the site of the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake three years ago, immediately after the event occurred, to offer assistance appropriate to the circumstances; this unintendedly made a strong social impact. As an organization consisting of engineers, the society is expected to offer timely, objective advice in situations such as these.

Particularly, JSCE is expected to express its opinions and respond appropriately to the wide-ranging issues that are being debated these days, such as review of public investments that are linked with economic reforms, determination of appropriate disaster prevention procedures for enhancing relief and safety of life, and mutual approval of international technical standards and qualifications for engineers. To respond to these needs, we are setting up special committees at appropriate times, carefully consider JSCE members' opinions and advice, and we will actively announce the outcome to enhance social awareness.

JSCE's membership has now exceeded the 40,000 mark. As the society grows, the activities of the committee are being sub-divided and sub-committees are being formed. Henceforth, various measures and means will have to be adopted to coordinate the various levels of activity and incorporate every member's opinion, in order to clearly manifest the society's collective opinion to the world. Moreover, making positive suggestions to outsiders and maintaining links with the society through data communications are also essential. As civil engineers, it is important that every one of us always treat social problems as our own problems, and bear in mind that our speech and conduct will influence the world around us; as members of this society, we should strive to maintain these ideals.

Our goal is to make the JSCE open to its members, to society and to the world. We sincerely look forward to your continued support and cooperation in the JSCE's activities.

Akira MIYAZAKI