Seismic performance of steel structures during the 2010 Maule earthquake

摘要

The February 27, 2010, earthquake affected the most populated and industrialized areas of Chile and provided invaluable data regarding the performance of several types of structures under large earthquakes. Industrial structures, which are, for the most part, steel structures, performed adequately. Damage was generally limited to older structures not designed according to the latest seismic code or facilities affected by the tsunami caused by the earthquake. This article presents some of the basics of the seismic code for industrial buildings, followed by an overview of some of the damage caused by the earthquake. Finally, the main conclusion is that the adequate performance of steel structures was the result of overstrength rather than ductility, and that this design is a consequence of the application of the seismic code provisions.