Underexcavation for Leveling Buildings in Mexico City: Case of the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Sagrario Church

Ovando-Shelley, Efraín; Santoyo, Enrique

doi:10.1061/(asce)1076-0431(2001)7:3(61)

Cited by 25 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The main geotechnical aspects of the rehabilitation project can be found in Ovando-Shelley and Santoyo [2] and the structural aspects can be found in Meli and Sánchez [3]. As a part of this program, a seismic network was installed in 1996 to measure the seismic response of the structure during the frequent earthquakes that occur in Mexico.…”

Section: The Cathedral Of Mexico Citymentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the measured seismic response of the Mexico City Cathedral

Rivera

Meli

Sánchez

et al. 2008

Earthq Engng Struct Dyn

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SUMMARYThe seismic response of the Mexico City Cathedral built of very soft soil deposits is evaluated by using motions recorded in various parts of the structure during several moderate earthquakes. This unique set of records provides significant insight into the seismic response of this and other similar historic stone masonry structures.Free-field ground motions are carefully compared in time and frequency domains with motions recorded at building basement. The dynamic characteristics of the structure are inferred from the earthquake records by using system identification techniques. Variation of seismic response for different seismic intensities is discussed. It is shown that, due to the soil-structure interaction, due to large differences between dominant frequencies of earthquake ground motions at the site and modal frequencies of vibration of the structure, and due to a particularly high viscous damping, seismic amplifications of ground motion in this and similar historic buildings erected on soft soil deposits are much smaller than that induced in most modern constructions. Nevertheless, earthquake records and analytical results show that several components of the structure such as its central dome and the bell towers may be subjected to local vibrations that significantly amplify ground motions. Overall, results indicate that in its present state the structure has an acceptable level of seismic safety.

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Section: The Cathedral Of Mexico Citymentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the measured seismic response of the Mexico City Cathedral

Rivera

Meli

Sánchez

et al. 2008

Earthq Engng Struct Dyn

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show abstract

“…The leveling procedure for correcting the tilt of the structure was defined after the analysis of different alternatives conducted for similar cases available in the literature [3]- [6]. Initially, a solution consisting in injecting pressurized water through drilled holes around the foundation piles on the west side was considered.…”

Section: Leveling Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, differential settlements lead to unfavourable serviceability conditions such as tilt of the building and discomfort of the occupants [1], [2]. In many cases, settlements may be mitigated or corrected by intervening the foundation [3]- [6]. However, depending on the stage of the building (whether it occurs during construction or during occupancy) or the type of foundation (shallow or deep foundations), these solutions may require complex engineering interventions, and could represent important additional costs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The solution consisted in cutting a small portion of the piles in the unsettled (west side) end of the building, equivalent to the necessary descent for leveling the settlements in the east end, and lowering the west side by using hydraulic jacks. To the authors' best knowledge, it is the first time this leveling solution for just a group of piles was implemented, since previous studies considered intervening all the foundation piles [3]- [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Jack-Assisted Leveling Process of an Actual 17-Story Building

Correal¹,

Reyes²,

Echeverry³

et al. 2018

GEOMATE

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Foundation problems during building construction may cause important structural and nonstructural damage, and compromise the building serviceability. This paper presents a case study of a jackassisted leveling process implemented on a 17-story reinforced concrete building that suffered important differential settlements during its construction. It is the first time a leveling solution for just a group of piles is implemented, since previous studies considered intervening all foundation piles. The procedure consists on cutting a small slice of the piles in the unsettled side of the building, equivalent to the necessary descent for leveling the settlements in the opposite end, and lowering the unsettled part by a controlled maneuver with hydraulic jacks. Prior to its execution, a numerical model was developed for predicting the effectiveness of the descent maneuver indicating that the leveling process would correct the tilt of the building. The solution was successfully implemented and the building is now in service.

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“…Thick deposits of compressible clays, regional water extraction, and high seismic activity combined with pre-19th century historical monuments, have created a difficult and challenging environment for geotechnical engineers in Mexico City, (Ovando et al 2001). From building inspections completed after the Mexico City 1985-earthquake, a significant number of buildings suffered differential settlements after the earthquake.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

General Bearing Capacity Theory and Soil Extraction Method for the Mitigation of Differential Settlements

Moghaddam¹,

Jayawickrama²

2017

Geotechnical Frontiers 2017

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Differential settlements experienced by a number of historic monuments have been remediated using the soil-extraction method. Italy's leaning Tower of Pisa and the Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral are two well-known structures where the soil-extraction method was applied to address issues associated with differential settlements. This paper describes a case study for a seven-story building in Mexico City, where differential settlements generated vertical inclinations ranging from 241-mm (9.5-in) to 310-mm (12.0-in) to the north, and 70-mm (2.75-in) to 98-mm (3.9-in) to the east. For the remediation of these inclinations, the soil-extraction method was applied through rectangular cavities excavated underneath the foundation element. The general bearing capacity theory was used to determine the location and dimensions of these cavities. After finalizing the soil-extraction process, an average settlement and upward movement of 87-mm (3.5in) and 24-mm (1.1-in) were recorded, respectively. After the completion of the soil-extraction process, all deformations were brought within tolerable limits specified by the local building code.

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Underexcavation for Leveling Buildings in Mexico City: Case of the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Sagrario Church

Cited by 25 publications

References 3 publications

Evaluation of the measured seismic response of the Mexico City Cathedral

Evaluation of the measured seismic response of the Mexico City Cathedral

Jack-Assisted Leveling Process of an Actual 17-Story Building

General Bearing Capacity Theory and Soil Extraction Method for the Mitigation of Differential Settlements

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