Rapid report of seismic damage to buildings in the 2022 M6.8 Luding earthquake, China

The report summarizes the observed damage to a variety of buildings near the epicenter of the M 6.8 Luding earthquake in Sichuan Province, China. They include base-isolated buildings, multi-story reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings, and masonry buildings. The near-fi eld region is known to be tectonically highly active, and the local intensity level is the highest, that is, 0.4 g peak ground acceleration ( PGA ) for the design basis earthquake, in the Chinese zonation of seismic ground motion parameters. The extent of damage ranged from the weak-story collapse that claimed lives to the extensive nonstructural damage that suspended occupancy. The report highlights the fi rst observation of the destruction of rubber bearings and viscous dampers in the isolation layer of Chinese seismically isolated buildings. It also features the rare observation of the brittle shear failure of RC columns in moment-resisting frames in a region of such a high seismic design requirement. Possible reasons that may have attributed to the reported damage are suggested by providing facts observed in the fi eld. However, careful forensic analyses are needed before any conclusive judgment can be made.