NEHRP Clearinghouse

Title
Damage to Buildings in Lima, October 1974 Earthquake. Seismic Design Decision Analysis.
File
PB293939.pdf
Author(s)
Pique, J.
Source
National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Applied Science and Research Applications., January 1975, 23 p.
Identifying Number(s)
INTERNAL STUDY-50
Abstract
On October 3, 1974, at 9:25:45 hours (EST), an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale occurred. The epicenter was located 65 miles south of Lima. The total duration of shaking was two minutes and fifteen seconds. The characteristics of the shaking were 'slower' than in the previous earthquakes of 1966 and 1970. In that way, this was an unusual tremor for its long duration and low predominant frequencies. Traditionally, shakings in the area have had high frequency contents. Damage to buildings in Lima and the nearby towns of Callao, La Molina and Chorrillos is evaluated. The different types of construction identified are: massive mud wall; adobe; adobe plus reinforced 'quincha'; masonry construction; concrete frame; combined shear walls and frames; shear walls. The damage observations are summarized according to the different types of construction and location. The damage observations for the non-engineered buildings have been used to estimate intensity according to the MSK scale. Observations show that, on the average, engineered buildings are not necessarily stronger (in the sense of being less susceptible to damage) than those not designed for earthquake forces.
Keywords
Masonry; Seismic design; Earthquake resistant structures; Damage assessment; Peru; Construction materials; Lima (Peru); Structural design; Ground motion; Earthquake engineering; Buildings; Adobe construction; Concrete construction