Dynamic Characteristics of a 1950s Heritage Building: A Comparison of Original Design Methods and Modern Techniques

Research on design rules and methods for architectural heritage is an important aspect of conservation practice. Nevertheless, efforts to recover and divulge design methods for Modern Heritage remain limited. This paper is related to the recent structural assessment of a 15-storey heritage building built in 1950, during which a document describing the original seismic analysis of this structure was identified. The methodology employed is of particular interest, as it involves the application of pioneer concepts of dynamic analysis in the design of the first tall buildings in Mexico. The primary aim of this paper is to review the seismic design criteria for the case under study in order to contribute to the state of the art in Modern Heritage. The review includes a comparison between the dynamic characteristics estimated during the design and the results of recent ambient vibration tests and numerical modeling. Several sources of error among the design criteria were identified. Notably, the fundamental period estimated during the design was 38% larger than the experimental value due to an underestimation in stiffness, which introduces significant uncertainty into the design. Overall, the review shows the evolution of seismic analysis over time and provide valuable insights for the study of similar buildings.

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