The earthquake that shook southern Hyogo Prefecture in Japan on January 17, 1995 (also known as the Kobe earthquake) measured 7.2 on the Richter Scale. This event was the most devastating earthquake to strike Japan since the Kanto emthquake of 1923. This paper focuses on the performance of a particular composite system, referred to as Steel Reinforced Concrete (SRC). This type of structural system comprises approximately 10 percent of all square meters of construction in Japan. A major factor contributing to the collapse of many SRC buildings, known to Japanese researchers prior to the earthquake, could be said to be the lack of adequate confining steel and cross ties, especially for large columns. Additionally, the use of90 degree hooks, even with close tie spacing, was shown to be undesirable.
