Performance of Elevator Systems in the 22 November 1995 Gulf of Eilat-Aqaba Earthquake

The paper consists of two parts. The first part describes the results of a limited survey of damage to elevator systems during the 1995 Gulf of Eilat earthquake. The second part summarizes an analytical study on the seismic response of counterweight guide rails. The analytical part utilizes a mathematical model that the authors developed earlier, showing its effectiveness in guide rail design with reference to the damage revealed by the survey. Results clearly indicate that the rails that are commonly used in Israel cannot withstand earthquakes in the Eilat area (PGA = 0.2g). Facts observed in the field are verified analytically. The observation that very few rails were bent despite derailment of counterweight at weight levels of 1000 kg is noted. Practical recommendations and design charts for the commonly used rails in Israel are provided as well.