Seismic Stabilization of Historic Structures

Methodology for seismic stabilization of historically and culturally significant buildings in earthquake regions

Project Details

A small, model adobe building is surrounded by people working in a large, industrial room

Model adobe building undergoing seismic simulation shaking table tests at Stanford University.

About

Goal

"Seismic retrofitting" describes building modifications intended to prevent catastrophic structural failure and ensure the survival of occupants. With historic buildings, it is important that retrofitting be designed to minimize intervention and preserve as many authentic features as possible. Seismic Stabilization of Historic Structures aimed to research and develop methods to provide seismic stabilization for historically and culturally significant buildings in earthquake regions.

Outcomes

  • Formulation of a general theoretical framework for understanding the dynamic performance of historic adobe buildings during seismic activity
  • Development of a methodology for designing retrofit systems for historic adobe buildings
  • Presentation of data at technical conferences on a set of experimentally verified retrofit measures that could be used for the stabilization of these structures

Approach

In 1990 the Getty Conservation Institute initiated two projects focused on this seismic stabilization.