Peruvian Seismic Design Practice Produced Undamaged Buildings in Peru´s Latest Earthquakes

Abstract eng:
On August 15, 2007 an 8.0 Mw magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific coast of central Peru. Widespread destruction over a 300km diameter area was recorded, thousands of displaced people, collapsed houses and buildings, including school buildings, hospitals and other facilities. Records 100km from epicenter showed 0,35g and 0,50g peak ground acceleration. However some school and hospital buildings survived undamaged. These had in common a design with the latest Peruvian standards, from 1997, modified 2003. In 2001 an 8,4 Mw earthquake was recorded in southern Peru. A very large area was damaged, but at the time many school buildings post 1997 seismic standard were undamaged, while similar buildings design with older standards were all damaged. Many reinforced and masonry buildings were damaged, many collapsed, but those which follow the latest code were successful. Which factors in Peruvian practice produced safe buildings and which of these were code requirements?. The answer is a combination of stringent displacement requirements -those for essential buildings such as schools and hospitals are even more demanding- and extensive use of rigid shear walls. Even though drift limits are similar to other world codes, factors for computing lateral displacements result in rather high displacement demands. In addition irregularities are forbidden for essential buildings structures and so is the use of sole frame structural systems, to avoid unexpected unstable collapse mechanisms. A recount of experiences and an explanation for what has worked is what follows.

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