The Introduction and Disappearance of Mixed-Structure Buildings Made from Brick Walls and RC Slabs Between 1900 to 1926 in Japan

After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, masonry techniques were introduced to Japan by the West, and Japanese architectural engineers were taught new techniques in construction. However, Japan is an earthquake-prone country and the Great Kanto Earthquake that occurred on September 1, 1923, in particular, caused devastating damage from Tokyo to Kanagawa. Consequently, masonry structures were deemed unsuitable in Japan, and reinforced concrete (RC)—which was introduced from around 1900—moved into mainstream fire-resistant construction. In the first quarter of the twentieth century, when the architectural structure was in a state of transition, a mixed structure that comprised brick walls and RC slabs was attempted, but the full picture was not clarified. Through an analysis of articles that were published by the Journal of Architectural Institute of Japan and drawings of mixed-structure buildings, this study examines the characteristics and changes of the mixed structure. Until 1910, concrete that was poured over shallow vaulted brick or corrugated iron plates that were combined with steel beams were widely used in the construction of fire-resistant floors. Simultaneously, there were examples of RC structures that were used in the construction of stair landings and entire staircases. After 1910, fireproof floors that were built with RC slabs on steel beams made way for RC slabs that used both small and large beams and haunching beams.