Análisis de la vulnerabilidad sísmica en edificaciones patrimoniales del centro histórico de Cuenca mediante análisis modal: Caso de estudio Catedral Vieja

Abstract

This work presents the results of the research on the analysis of the seismic vulnerability of the Sagrario Cathedral, better known as the Old Cathedral of Cuenca, to assess its behavior against a quake and identify the safe zones in the event of a possible structural failure. For this purpose, the geometric and physical properties of the building were taken into consideration through an architectural-structural survey. The analysis is developed on a vulnerability assessment model, through the structural configuration and the characterization of the material, referenced in the identification of structural elements and the application of a modal analysis; based on a subjective method proposed by the Ecuadorian Construction Standard (NEC) and other authors who developed their research in adobe. The results derived from this research are directed towards the reduction of seismic vulnerability in buildings of massive occupation or public buildings, where it becomes essential to preserve and guarantee the safety of its occupants. The analyzed methodology allows dissecting the behavior of the building against a design spectrum, showing a maximum displacement of 0.1m. before a possible earthquake; which categorizes the Cathedral with a "medium" degree of vulnerability, due to its intrinsic characteristics: construction system, materiality, spatial distribution, lengthwidth ratio, etc. Finally, the lack of local regulations in the country for empirical materials is mentioned, which causes the data to be based on guidelines from other countries