Author(s)

W.S. Gineli, C.C. Uriel Jr, E.L. Tolles & F.A. Webster

Abstract

Many historic adobe structures in the Southwestern United States are vulnerable to destruction or damage by earthquakes. In the recent Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles, a significant number of the remaining, unretrofitted adobe structures dating to the 18th and early 19th century period were damaged extensively. Yet, it has been observed that many other adobes have performed well during large seismic events. This dichotomy exists because low strength adobe, when used in the form of thick walls, develops cracks, but these do not necessarily lead to catastrophic building collapse. The concept of seismic retrofitting based on improving the stability of the adobe buildings, rather than the more conventional cri

Keywords