Abstract

BARROS, L.P  and  IMHOFF, F.A. Earthquake resistance of post- tensioned soil cement buildings with low geometric complexity. Revista de la Construcción [online]. 2010, vol.9, n.2, pp. 26-38. ISSN 0718-915X.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-915X2010000200004.

This article sets forth the research and development of a structural-building technique based on earth, which offers the improvement of earthquake resistance within an acceptable range (0.8g). The so called soil cement material was investigated and developed in laboratory. Based on the foregoing analysis, a building technique based on rammed earth on post-tensioned soil cement was developed. Two physical prototypes, 1:6 scale, that were subject to strength tests in the Laboratory of the Civil Works Department of the UTFSM were built to assess their performance in seismic movements. Test results were satisfactory, since both models resisted Kobe earthquake (0.8g) simulation with no signs of collapse. It is thought that this model could be applied in the construction of new buildings with low geometric complexity after the earthquake in February 2010 in Chile.

Keywords : Rammed earth construction; post tensioned soil-cement; stabilized rammed earth.