Seismic Retrofitting Project

During the 1990s the Getty Conservation Institute carried out a major research and laboratory testing program, the Getty Seismic Adobe Project (GSAP), which investigated the performance of historic adobe structures during earthquakes and developed cost-effective retrofit methods that preserve the authenticity of these buildings. Results of this research have been disseminated in a series of publications, both in English and Spanish.

In 2006 the Earthen Architecture Initiative convened two meetings: the “Getty Seismic Adobe Project Colloquium” and “New Concepts in Seismic Strengthening of Historic Adobe Structures.” Held at the Getty Center, the meetings focused on implementation of the Getty's seismic research and on identification of further research needed in the study of historic earthen architecture in seismic zones.

While participants in the 2006 colloquium concluded that the GSAP methodology was excellent and effective, they felt its reliance on high-tech materials, equipment, and professional expertise was a deterrent to its being more widely implemented. To address this, the Conservation Institute in 2009 initiated the Seismic Retrofitting Project (SRP) with the objective of adapting GSAP techniques to better match the equipment, materials, and technical skills available in many countries with earthen sites.

The design and testing of the seismic retrofitting techniques and maintenance programs by the Seismic Retrofitting Project builds upon the work of GSAP as well as conclusions drawn from the Pisco, Peru 2007 earthquake assessment and detailed construction assessment of Peruvian historic earthen buildings.

• Design-effective seismic retrofitting techniques using locally available materials and expertise for Peruvian historic building types that have potential for wider application in other countries
• Obtain data, based on rigorous scientific research and testing, that demonstrates the validity of the designed techniques
• Acquire recognition, approval, and promotion of the techniques by local authorities
• Develop guidelines and manuals for the conservation community and site managers who implement retrofitting techniques, and for potential inclusion into the Peruvian National Building Regulations and application throughout Latin America
• Develop model conservation projects that demonstrate the implementation of the techniques

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Escuela de Ciencias Ingeniería: Daniel Torrealva, Professor and former Dean; Erika Vicente, Research Assistant; Rafael Aguilar Velez, Principal Professor; University of Minho: Paulo Lourenço, Professor, Department of Civil Engineer; Nuno Mendes, Auxiliar Researcher at the Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE); Tim Michiels, PE, PhD, Associate, Old Structures; Luis Villacorta Santamato, Peruvian Cultural Trips, consultant; Mario Santana Quintero, Carleton University, Architectural survey and wall paintings digital photography of the Churches of Kuñotambo and Rondocan; Clemencia Vernaza, Consultant, Kuñotambo and Rondocan wall paintings conservation

Former team members: Maria Cummings; Giorgos Karanikoloudis, PhD, Department of Civil Engineer, University of Minho (2015-2023); Federica Greco, GCI former intern and research assistant (2015-2017)