Erdbebensicherheit von Lehmsteinbauten untersucht für den Standort Oaxaca, Mexiko

The research work at hand is application–oriented. To develop a low cost, simple constructed and earthquake resistant residential house for the earthquake region Oaxaca in Mexico investigations in different fields are made. The survey of simple cottages in the region of Oaxaca documents construction style and structural damage. The potential to gain a higher level of construction was figured out for the adobe style buildings. With material tests in the laboratory the use of sisal-fibre-ropes as reinforcement of the bed joint is tested and optimized. The load-bearing capacity of sisal-fibre-ropes reinforced and unreinforced adobe is evaluated. With a dynamic analysis by use of the finite element method and the computer program Sofisitk (Sofitik AG, Oberschleißheim) the earthquake resistance of single floor adobe buildings is shown. Use of struttings and a limitation of dimensions are recommended. Based on established design rules an example of an adobe house shows the design and the way of construction.