Title: Masonry in Peru

Author(s): H. Gallegos

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 147

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 307-332

Keywords: buildings; construction; design; earthquakes; masonry; masonry walls; research; seismic performance; standards; structures; walls; General

DOI: 10.14359/4389

Date: 9/1/1994

Abstract:
Paper presents the state of the art of masonry design, construction, and supervision in Peru, a country subjected to severe seismicity. Masonry in Peru has always been the most important urban structural material, but one that had been used without any engineering control during design, construction, and supervision phases. The results were unsafe and/or wasteful. The information presented in this paper covers the following subjects: 1) design and construction practices, including materials, masonry walls, building configuration, codes and seismic design; 2) seismic behavior and retro fitting;and 3) research addressing materials, masonry specimens, and full-size walls and buildings. These concerns initiated an integral program 2 decades ago, with the main objective of rationalizing the structural and engineering treatment of masonry (until that time, merely a construction material).