Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Mario E.. Interpretation of damage and collapses in buildings observed in Mexico City in the september 19 earthquake. Ing. sísm [online]. 2019, n.101, pp.1-18.  Epub Apr 30, 2020. ISSN 0185-092X.  https://doi.org/10.18867/ris.101.528.

This study evaluates the damage and collapses of buildings in the September 2017 earthquake in Mexico City. These buildings were of the frame type, they were also subjected to the September 1985 Mexico and little or no damage was observed in that event. It was found that the spectral demands for typical records registered in 1985 and 2017 were not much different, which suggests the need to explain why these buildings collapsed or had severe damage in 2017 and not in 1985. This building behavior was analyzed using a seismic damage index previously proposed by the author, I d , which considers the effect of cumulative damage. Index I d was computed for typical 1985 and 2017 ground motion records, as well as for a record resulting of the combination of both the 1985 record and the 2017 record. Results indicate that the observed damage and collapses of buildings in the September 2017 earthquake can be explained considering the effect of cumulative seismic damage. Furthermore, it was found that dual systems are much more effective for reducing damage potential of buildings than frame buildings. Recommendations are given for possible improvements of seismic building codes in Mexico.

Keywords : Damage and collapse in buildings; earthquakes in Mexico; cumulative damage.

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