U.S. engineering researchers are preparing to send teams to earthquake-stricken Mexico City once rescue-and-recovery efforts are complete, in hopes of learning more about the effect of building code revisions intended to strengthen seismic protections, that were adopted after an even more powerful earthquake in 1985. A preliminary assessment suggests the strengthened seismic codes improved building performance.
Sergio Manuel Alcocer, a research professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and a member of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute says, as of Sept. 26—one week after the 7.1 magnitude Raboso quake struck around lunchtime, killing more than 300 people, damaging 11,000 homes and toppling some 40 buildings—that local authorities have entered recovery mode in looking for victims. “Unfortunately there are still 40 to 50 people buried in a 10-story structure,” he told ENR by phone. “It will take some time to remove the floors piece by piece.”