The Whittier Narrows, California Earthquake of October 1, 1987—Performance of Buildings at California State University, Los Angeles

Abstract

The Whittier Narrows earthquake (Richter Magnitude 5.9), which struck Southern California in the morning of October 1, 1987, caused some $20.5 million damage to various engineered buildings at California State University, Los Angeles and the death of a student due to a falling precast concrete panel. Peak ground acceleration of 0.39 g and a building response of 0.48 g were recorded in one of the affected buildings. The damage was both structural (cracking of reinforced concrete beams, columns and shear walls) and non-structural (cracked plaster and partition walls, dislodged and broken ceiling tiles, lights and other fixtures, damage to the science, computer and mechanical equipment and to utilities). A fire broke out in one chemistry laboratory and toxic combinations of chemicals were created by the spills in another chemistry laboratory. Shaking from the earthquake also aggravated existing friable asbestos contamination, forcing closure of one and portions of other buildings.