Preserving culturally significant architecture in earthquake-prone regions requires deep insight into how these historical structures respond to dynamic, real-world seismic loading. Learn how Mariano Gálvez University used MTS seismic simulation technology to gain the experimental data needed to improve the resiliency of Guatemala’s rich architectural heritage.
In Guatemala’s first implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, researchers at Mariano Gálvez University studied the dynamic response of 16th century Church of San Raymundo under strong seismic loading. The study employed experimental, mathematical and historical data: the experimental component comprised an adobe scale replica of the church, built atop an MTS Biaxial Seismic Simulator; the mathematical model reflected the dimensions of the original church, with geometric and mechanical properties of its masonry and clay incorporated; historical data included observed damage to the church sustained in a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in 1976. Both experimental and mathematical models were subjected to a recorded magnitude 7.4 earthquake from 2012, and the results were then analyzed and compared with real damage from the 1976 event.
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The study was conducted by the Earthquake Engineering Laboratory of the Research Institute of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences (in3) of the Mariano Gálvez University of Guatemala. Insights gleaned from the results served to validate mathematical models, engineer structural retrofit strategies, and inform best practices for preserving similar historical structures.
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The experimental Church of San Raymundo was built on a geometric scale of 1:8.75 on the transversal axis, using 750 blocks of fresh adobe. The resulting specimen weighed 3.2 tons and measured 2.8 x 3.0 x 1.75 meters. |
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The simulation was performed on a 3 x 3 meter MTS Seismic Simulator (shake table), capable of providing the acceleration (9.8 m/s2), velocity (1 m/s), and displacement (± 250 mm) needed for replicating realistic earthquake ground motions. |
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Data was acquired with an array of eight ES-U uniaxial accelerometers (1.25mv/g), and three OMEGA 0-10V LDVT sensors, all connected to the MTS controller. An FBA-ES-T triaxial sensor was positioned at the table base and connected to a data-logger. |
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The experimental and mathematical models were subjected to a simulation of the magnitude 7.4 San Marcos Earthquake, which occurred November 7, 2012. The epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean, 35 km south of Champerico at a depth of 24.1 km. |
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The resulting damage to the experimental model was similar to that sustained by the real church in 1976, and failure-inducing frequencies indicated by the mathematical model (5.86 Hz) converged with those of the experimental model (6.0 Hz). |
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