Author
KOJI YOSHIMURA*, KENJI KIKUCHI*, TOMOYUKI KAJIMURA**,
YOICHI MORISHITA***, KEIJI ETO** AND HIDEKO NONAKA*
*Oita University, Oita, Japan **Sato-benec Co., Oita
***University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa

Abstract
In order to improve the poor seismic resistance of masonry garden walls, five different field investigations have been conducted by the authors. Two were on masonry garden walls damaged during the 1995 Hyogoken-nanbu earthquake and the 1997 Kagoshimaken-hokuseibu (Northwestern region of Kagoshima Prefecture) earthquake. The other three were on undamaged (or survived) masonry garden waits, the design and construction methods adopted in the existing masonry garden walls in Oita City, and strengthening methods adopted for existing masonry walls. Results of these investigations indicate that there are numerous masonry garden walls with poor seismic resistance. In order to prevent these from severe earthquake damage, the importance of vertical reinforcing bars, reinforced concrete foundations and intersecting walls is indicated.