Implications of Structural Characteristics on Failure

by Fernando Fossas R., Compania Mexicana de Consultores en, Ingenieria, Mexico City, Mexico,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: The Mexico Earthquakes?1985: Factors Involved and Lessons Learned

Abstract:

Performance of buildings with two common structural types, many of which suffered heavy structural damage or collapse, are analyzed. Conclusions are drawn that no structural type is inadequate, but that the flat plate type will usually require well designed shear walls to resist strong horizontal forces, and that structural steel frames must be carefully detailed in order to prevent faulty designs that may lead to failure. Recommendations are made to promote research on full scale testing of buildings subject to horizontal forces; it is pointed out that many buildings that suffered no damage in the past earthquake are liable to damage when a new earthquake comes.



Subject Headings: Earthquake resistant structures | Failure analysis | Structural analysis | Dynamic structural analysis | Structural failures | Steel frames | Shear walls

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search