Evaluation of the measured seismic response of the Mexico City Cathedral

The seismic response of the Mexico City Cathedral built of very soft soil deposits is evaluated by using motions recorded in Various Parts of file 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 Clue to a particularly high Viscous damping, seismic amplifications of ground motion in this and similar historic buildings erected oil 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,round motions. Overall, results indicate that in its present state the structure has an acceptable level of seismic safely. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.