Evaluación de la vulnerabilidad sísmica en viviendas y edificios comerciales menores en el área central de Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica

Abstract

The main purpose of this project is the realization of an engineering study that will serve to determine and publicize the seismic hazard in the canton of Pérez Zeledón, as well as the different levels of seismic vulnerability for certain buildings located in the southern part of our country, specifically of those located in Pérez Zeledón, in the province of San José. To meet the project’s objective a research was conducted, to observe and record the materials used in the construction of the buildings included in the study, the geometry of structural configurations, as well as the different techniques and methods of execution utilized in engineering projects developed in the region. Furthermore, it was necessary to obtain information on the magnitude, intensity and frequency of the seismic events that have affected the canton historically, to determine the impact of these events in the areas of analytical interest for the project and anticipate the characteristics of the earthquakes that could occur in the upcoming years. After establishing the seismic hazard of the region and the vulnerability of the analyzed buildings the study proceeds to estimate the probability of failure in each of the structural types, under varying levels of ground motion and considering the main factors involved in this phenomenon. The project concludes with sufficient data to establish and report the degree of expected damage in residences and simple commercial buildings in the area of Perez Zeledón (specifically on the district of San Isidro de El General) for the most critical scenarios in terms of seismic activity expected to happen in this geographic region, given the reported potential for earthquakes of destructive magnitudes.