Characteristics and mechanism analysis of the great Wenchuan earthquake

The great Wenchuan earthquake caused tremendous losses of life and property.Building collapse reasons are analyzed in view of structural earthquake resistance.It is pointed out that building collapse is the wrestling result between advantageous factors and disadvantageous factors.The severity of the great Wenchuan earthquake may result from large magnitude,strong ground motion,widespread surface rupture,densely populated people,large numbers of houses,roads and bridges,lower level of seismic fortification,as well as serious geological disasters.