Sleep easy

Following the Puebla earthquake which destroyed many buildings in Mexico City in 2017, work is continuing to strengthen buildings that survived, preparing them for even bigger future shocks – in some cases with mageba protective devices

When the 2017 Puebla earthquake struck Mexico City and the surrounding region on 19 September 2017, it destroyed dozens of buildings and damaged thousands more. Many buildings had to be evacuated while repair and strengthening works were carried out, including a large number of residential buildings. One such building, a privately-owned eight-level structure on Cuauhtémoc Avenue in the city’s Benito Juarez district, was determined to require the addition of seismic protection devices to make it safe to inhabit again. The solution adopted – in part due to the need to implement the solution quickly and allow residents to return to their homes, and fortunately within the budget limitations of the private owners – involved the retrofitting of two shock absorbers, oriented diagonally, at each level. RESTON®SA shock absorbers were selected for use and designed for a force of 800 kN and with a displacement capacity of +/-50mm. Having now been manufactured at mageba’s Shanghai factory, and installed under the supervision of mageba Mexico’s seismic specialists, the building’s residents will be able to go to bed each night with confidence in their homes’ ability to survive the next big earthquake to strike the city.

Building works designer: Gallegos Consultores S.A. de C.V.
Contractor: Association of Condominium Owners

The building on Cuauhtémoc Avenue in Mexico City, which was damaged in the 2017 earthquake, is a privately-owned apartment building

RESTON®SA shock absorbers were manufactured in mageba’s Shanghai factory for use in strengthening the building to survive future earthquakes

The shock absorbers required to be retrofitted on steel struts in opposite facades of the building, two at each level, with a diagonal orientation

Installation of one RESTON®SA shock absorber, at the end of a diagonal steel strut – still wrapped in protective plastic

Installation of the devices was supervised by specialists from mageba’s Mexican subsidiary, ensuring that they will perform their vital function properly should the need ever arise