Evaluation of Performance of Concrete Buildings Damaged by the September 19, 1985 Mexico Earthquake

As a part of a general evaluation of the structural behavior of buildings during the 1985 earthquake in Mexico City, a detailed study of 8 damaged concrete buildings has been performed. The paper contains a general description of the buildings, of their damage and of its possible causes. An approximate method of evaluation of seismic strength is proposed and applied to the eight buildings. General conclusions about the causes of damage and about changes needed in the design practice are proposed.