Performance of Steel Structures in the September 19 and 20, 1985 Mexico Earthquakes

A description of the various types of steel structures built in Mexico City includes comparisons of the older types of steel construction with more modern buildings. Performance of steel buildings in the September 1985 earthquake was related to the local geotechnical conditions including foundation behavior. The collapses of the Edificio 21 Atlas and Conjunto Pino Suarez buildings raise important earthquake resistant design and research issues.