1 General Information

1.1

Country: Argentina

1.2

Form ID Number: 1

1.3

Housing Type: Block masonry house

1.4

Summary: This construction type is used as a residential building. It is typically a one-or-twostory building, of detached or semi-detached construction, generally found in the urban areas of
San Juan and Mendoza and less frequently in the rural areas. The walls are made of concrete
block masonry with reinforced concrete columns and beams that tie the walls together and
provide the strength for the building structure. One of the main structural deficiencies for this
construction type lies in the widely different wall densities in the two orthogonal directions. This
deficiency may be eliminated with appropriate architectural design. This construction type is
expected to show good seismic performance.

1.5

Typical Age for Buildings of This Construction Type

What is a typical
building age for this
construction type?
<25 years
26-50 years
51-75 years
76-100 years
101-200 years
>200 years

Select all that

apply (X)

1.6 Period of Practice

A construction practice that has been followed for the last 30 years.
1.7 Region(s) Where Used
San Juan Capital City and the surroundings.

1.8

Urban vs. Rural Construction

Where is this construction type

commonly found?
In urban areas
In rural areas
Both in rural and urban areas

Select one(X)
X

Additional comments: NA

1.9

General Weather Patterns:

1.9.1 Maximum and minimum average temperature(deg. C.)

Maximum average temperature: 43C
Minimum average temperature: 8C

1.9.2 Maximum average rainfall (precipitation) per year

100 mm

1.9.3 Average humidity(%)

Average humidity (in winter) 51%
Average humidity (in summer) 25%

2 Architectural Features
2.1 Openings
The typical house has approximately seven openings, with an average area of 2.50 m2. The position of
the openings differs from building to building, however generally there is a front door and a back or
side door. There are windows in the family room, in every bedroom and the bathroom. The opening
area is about 13% of the overall wall area.

2.2 Siting
This type of construction is generally found on flat terrain.

2.3 Building Configuration

The typical shape of a building plan for this housing type is rectangular.

2.4

Building Function

What is the main function for buildings of this

construction type?
Single family house
Multiple housing units
Mixed use (commercial ground floor, residential
above)
Other (explain below)

Select one (X)

X

3 Socio-Economic Issues
3.1 Density of Population in the Region (per sq.km.):
The density of population in San Juan Capital city is 4000 inhabitants/km2 , in the surrounding region
it is about 400 inhabitants/km2, and about 0.3 inhabitants/km2 in the areas farther away from the city.
The average density of population in the province is 6 inhabitants/km2 .

3.2 Density of Housing (per sq.km.):

These houses are typically located close together in neighborhoods and the density of housing is
approx. 20 units/ km2

3.3 Patterns of Occupancy:

A single family per housing unit.
3.4 Number of Housing Units in a Building (estimate)
1 (one)
3.5

Average Number of Inhabitants in a Building(estimate):

How many
inhabitants reside
in a typical
building of this
construction type?
<5
5 to 10
10-20
> 20
Other (provide
numbers)

3.6

During the day

(i.e. during
business hours)
Select all that
apply (X)
X

In the
evening/night
Select all that
apply (X)
X

Number of Bathrooms or Latrines per Housing Unit (if shared by more than one unit, number
per Buildingplease indicate which):

1 (one) bathroom per housing unit.

3.7

Economic Level of Inhabitants (see below)

Economic Status
(see Note 1)
Very poor
Poor
Middle Class
Rich

Select all that

apply (X)

House Price/Annual Income

US$ 18,000/ US$ 20,000

Notes:
1. Below are the general guidelines related to the economic status of the inhabitants:
Very Poor= lowest 10% of the population (per GDP)
Poor= lowest 30% of the population
Middle Class= from the lowest 30% up to the top 20% of the population
Rich= top 20% of the population

3.8

Typical Sources of Financing

What is a typical source of financing
for buildings of this type?
Owner financed
Personal savings
Informal network: friends and relatives
Small lending institutions/microfinance
institutions
Commercial banks/mortgages
Investment pools
Combination (explain)
Government-owned housing
Other (explain below)

3.9

Select all that

apply (X)

Ownership
Type of Ownership
Rent
Own outright
Own with debt (mortgage or other)
Units owned individually
(condominium)
Owned by group or pool
Long-term lease
Other

Select all that apply (X)

4 Structural Features
4.1 Lateral Load-Resisting System:
Earthquake-resisting structure: concrete block masonry walls with reinforced concrete beams and
columns.

4.2 Gravity Load-Bearing Structure:

The same as earthquake-resisting structure i.e. consisting of concrete block masonry walls with
reinforced concrete beams and columns. In some cases, concrete beams and columns are provided
without the masonry walls, in which case this system behaves as a frame; this depends on the
architectural design.

4.3

Type of Structural System

Material

Type of LoadBearing
Structure

Stone Masonry
Walls

Earthen/Mud/
Adobe/Rammed
Earthen Walls
Clay brick/block
masonry walls

Subtypes

Rubble stone (field stone) in mud/lime

mortar or without mortar (usually with timber
roof)
Massive stone masonry (in lime/cement
mortar)
Mud walls
Mud walls with horizontal wood elements
Adobe block walls
Rammed earth/Pise construction
Unreinforced brick masonry in mud mortar
Unreinforced brick masonry in mud mortar
with vertical posts
Unreinforced brick masonry in cement
mortar with reinforced concrete floor/roof
slabs
Confined brick/block masonry with concrete
posts/tie columns and beams
Unreinforced in lime/cement mortar (various
floor/roof systems)
Reinforced, in cement mortar (various
floor/roof systems)
Designed for gravity loads only (predating
seismic codes i.e. no seismic features)
Designed with seismic features (various
ages)
Frame with unreinforced masonry infill walls
Flat slab structure
Precast frame structure
Frame with concrete shear walls-dual system
walls cast in-situ
precast wall panel structure
with brick masonry partitions
with cast in-situ concrete walls
with lightweight partitions

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Masonry

Clay/concrete

10
11

Concrete block
masonry

12
13

Wooden
structures

Steel

Structural concrete

14
Moment
resisting frame

Shear wall
structure
Momentresisting frame
Braced frame

Load-bearing
timber frame

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

Select the most

appropriate type (X)

thatch
post and beam frame
Walls with bamboo/reed mesh and post
(Wattle and Daub)
frame with (stone/brick) masonry infill
frame with plywood/gypsum board sheathing
frame with stud walls

4.4

Type of Foundation

Type

Description

Shallow
foundation

Deep foundation

4.5

Wall or column embedded in soil, without footing

Rubble stone, fieldstone isolated footing
Rubble stone, fieldstone strip footing
Reinforced concrete isolated footing
Reinforced concrete strip footing
Mat foundation
No foundation
Reinforced concrete bearing piles
Reinforced concrete skin friction piles
Steel bearing piles
Wood piles
Steel skin friction piles
Cast in place concrete piers
Caissons

Type of Floor/Roof System

Material

Description of floor/roof system

Masonry

Vaulted
Composite masonry and concrete joist
Cast in place solid slabs
Cast in place waffle slabs
Cast in place flat slabs
Precast joist system
Precast planks
Precast beams with concrete topping
Postensioned slabs
Composite steel deck with concrete slab

Structural
concrete

Steel
Timber

Other

Select the most

appropriate type (X)

Rammed earth with ballast and concrete or plaster

finishing
Wood planks or beams with ballast and concrete or
plaster finishing
Thatched roof supported on wood purlins
Wood shingle roof
Wood planks or beams that support clay tiles
Wood planks or beams that support slate, metal,
asbestos-cement or plastic corrugated sheets or tiles
Nervure slab made of concrete with hollow clay
blocks and fill-in elements

Floor
(Select one X)

Roof
(Select one X)

Additional comments:
The roof is considered to be a rigid diaphragm

4.6 Typical Plan Dimensions (length/width, in meters):

10.00m length x 6.5m width

4.7 Typical Number of Stories:

1 (one) or 2 (two)
4.8

Typical Story Height: 3.30m

4.9 Typical Span:

Span between the adjacent columns is typically between 3.00m. and 3.40m.
4.10 Typical Wall Density: (for each floor) 0.116
FIGURE 2: Perspective Drawing Showing Key Load-Bearing Elements

FIGURE 3: Plan of a Typical Building

FIGURE 4: Critical Structural Details

5 Evaluation of Seismic Performance and Seismic Vulnerability

5.1

Structural and Architectural Features: Seismic Resistance

Structural/
Architectural
Feature

Statement1

Lateral load path

The structure contains a complete load path for seismic force

effects from any horizontal direction that serves to transfer
inertial forces from the building to the foundation.
The building is regular with regards to both the plan and the
elevation.
The roof diaphragm is considered to be rigid and it is expected
that the roof structure will maintain its integrity, i.e. shape and
form, during an earthquake of intensity expected in this area.
The floor diaphragm(s) are considered to be rigid and it is
expected that the floor structure(s) will maintain its integrity
during an earthquake of intensity expected in this area.
There is no evidence of excessive foundation movement (e.g.
settlement) that would affect the integrity or performance of the
structure in an earthquake.
The number of lines of walls or frames in each principal direction
is greater than or equal to 2.

Building
Configuration
Roof construction

Floor construction

Foundation
performance
Wall and frame
structuresredundancy
Wall proportions

Foundation-wall
connection
Wall-roof
connections
Wall openings

Quality of
building materials
Quality of
workmanship
Maintenance

Select one (X)

True
(indicates
good seismic
resistance)

Height-to-thickness ratio of the shear walls at each floor level is:

Less than 25 (concrete walls);

Less than 30 (reinforced masonry walls);

Less than 13 (unreinforced masonry walls);

Vertical load-bearing elements (columns, walls) are attached to
the foundations; concrete columns and walls are doweled into the
foundation.
Exterior walls are anchored for out-of-plane seismic effects at
each diaphragm level with metal anchors or straps
The total width of door and window openings in a wall is:

For brick masonry construction in cement mortar : less than

of the distance between the adjacent cross walls;

For adobe masonry, stone masonry and brick masonry in

mud mortar: less than 1/3 of the distance between the
adjacent cross walls;

For precast concrete wall structures: less than 3/4 of the

length of a perimeter wall.
Quality of building materials is considered to be adequate per the
requirements of national codes and standards (an estimate).
Quality of workmanship (based on visual inspection of few
typical buildings) is considered to be good (per local construction
standards).
Buildings of this type are generally well maintained and there are
no visible signs of deterioration of building elements (concrete,
steel, timber)

False
(indicates poor
seismic
resistance)

N/A

X
X

X
X

X
X

Both situations are present in this type

Other

The main reference publication used in developing the statements used in this table is FEMA310 Handbook for the
Seismic Evaluation of Buildings-A Prestandard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C., 1998.

10

5.2

Seismic Deficiencies
Seismic Deficiency
Describe in a few words

Structural Element
(modify this column as
appropriate)
Wall

In general, this type of building has no

seismic deficiencies, except when the
construction is not controlled by an
official organization.
Frame (columns, beams)

Generally without seismic deficiencies

Roof and floors

No seismic deficiencies

5.3

Seismic Vulnerability Rating:

High Vulnerability
=Very Poor Seismic
Performance
A

Seismic
Vulnerability Class

Medium
Vulnerability

Low Vulnerability=Excellent
Seismic Performance

|-

-|

Notes:
l = Expected seismic vulnerability class
|- =Probable vulnerability range lower bound
-| =Probable vulnerability range-upper bound
Once you have determined the seismic vulnerability class for this construction type, copy the above
symbols: l, |-, and -| as appropriate and place them into the table.

11

6 Earthquake Damage Patterns

Year

Earthquake
Epicenter

1977

Caucete

Richter
magnitude
(M)

7.4

Maximum
Intensity
(Indicate
scale e.g.
MMI, MSK)
IX

Number of buildings of this type that

completely or partially collapsed
Select one (X)
FEW
SOME
MOST
X

FEW= very few buildings (less than 25%)

SOME= 25 to 50% of buildings
MOST= over 50% of buildings of this type
Additional comments: In the Capital city of San Juan, located about 100 km from the epicenter, the
intensity was between VII and VIII. The buildings of this construction type sustained the earthquake
without serious damage.

FIGURE 6: A Photograph Illustrating Typical Earthquake Damage

12

7 Building Materials and Construction Process

7.1

Description of Building Materials

Structural element
(modify this
column as
appropriate)

Building
material(s)

Characteristic
strength, see
Note 1

Mix Proportion/
Comments
Dimensions, see Note 2

Wall/foundations

Hollow
concrete block
concrete

50 kg/cm2
2kg/ cm2
210 kg/ cm2

Frame

Reinforced
concrete

210 kg/ cm2

4200 kg/ cm2

Roof and floors

Reinforced
concrete
Hollow clay
block

210 kg/ cm2

4200 kg/ cm2

1:1:5 (cement-lime-sand)
0.20m x 0.40m
1:3:5 (cementsand- pebble)
0.60m x 0.25m
1:2:4 (cement-sand-pebble)
Column: 0.20m x 0.20m
Beam: 0.20m x 0.15m
1:2:4 (cement-sand-pebble)

Notes:
Tension/compression/shear strength (e.g. concrete compression strength, steel yield strength, masonry
compressive/shear strength)2. Explain mix of different materials used in the construction
7.2

Does the builder typically live in this construction type, or is it more typically built by
developers or for speculation?
The builder usually does not live in this construction type. It is designed and built by professionals and
used in housing plans developed and financed by the state.

7.3

Construction Process

The construction process is usually carried out by a construction company. It begins with the filling in
of foundations, the assembling of the bottom reinforced concrete beams and columns and the casting
of these beams. Then the block masonry walls are being built and the concrete columns are being cast.
Subsequently, the top reinforced concrete beams are assembled and the slab concrete is poured. The
tools and equipment typically used are. spatulas, shovels, hoes, baskets, saws, pliers, levels, cement
mixers, etc.
7.4 Design/Construction Expertise
The professionals involved in the design and construction process architects and engineers- have a
good level of expertise and great experience in this type of construction, typical in San Juan.

7.5 Is this Construction Type Addressed by Codes/Standards?

Yes, the 1951 Building Code of the Province of San Juan, Earthquake-proof Norms Concar 70,
Argentinean Earthquake-proof Norms 80 and 1990 INPRES CIRSOC Norms.

13

7.6

Role of Engineers and Architects:

Architects are in charge of the architectural design of the building and sometimes, the construction
process. Engineers are in charge of the structural design and of the construction process in general.

7.7

Building Permits and Development Control Rules

Select one (X)
Yes

Are building permits required?

Is this typically informal construction? (without permits, plans,
inspection-explain)
Is this construction typically authorized as per development
control rules?

7.8

No
X
X
X

Phasing of Construction
Select one (X)
Yes
No
X

Is it likely that construction of this type takes place over time?

(incrementally)
Are the buildings originally designed for its final constructed
X
size?
Additional comments: This type of construction is generally designed for its final constructed size, but
usually the final size is fulfilled in a later stage, as an extension of the original construction. Sometimes
the owner also builds additional parts, generally without any professional input.

14

7.9

Building Maintenance

Who typically maintains

buildings of this type?
Builder
Owner (s)
Renter (s)
No one
Other (explain)

Select all that apply

(X)
X

Additional comments: Usually, it is the owner who maintains the building, but little or no maintenance
is done.

7.10 Process for Building Code Enforcement

The provincial authorities approve the design and control the construction process.

7.11 Typical Problems Associated with this Type of Construction

The only problems associated with this type of construction are the considerable dispersion in the
quality of concrete blocks used and the common lack of maintenance in this type of construction.

8 Construction Economics
8.1

Explain unit construction cost:

Unit construction cost per m2 of built-up area is approx. US$ 250. This price includes the entire needs of
the construction.
8.2

Explain labor requirements :

To start the process of construction it is necessary to have the approval of the general and structure
plans, the electrical wiring plans, plumbing, and gas plans. This approval is provided by the Provincial
Authorities. A construction license provided by the Municipal Authorities is also required. This type
of building will need approx. 4 months to complete the construction.

15

9 Insurance
9.1

Insurance Issues
Select one(X)
Yes
No
X

Is earthquake insurance for this construction type typically

available?
Are premium discounts or higher coverages available for
seismically strengthened buildings or new buildings built to
incorporate seismically resistant features?

9.2

If earthquake insurance is available, what does this insurance typically cover/cost?

NA

10 Seismic Strengthening Technologies

Structural
Element

Roof
wall

Description
of seismic
strengthening
provision

Increase the
width of
some walls

Increase in the construction

cost, see Note 1
Select one (X)
High
Medium
Low
(>5%)
(2-5%)
(<2%)

Likelihood of enhancing
seismic stability, see
Note 2 Select one (X)
High Medium Low

Comments (explain,
e.g. is this feature
considered to be
complex in terms of
design and/or
construction?)
Relatively simple

New
Const
ructio
n

Retrofit
(strengt
hening)

Type of
intervention

Notes:
1. An estimate of an increase in the construction cost if a particular seismic strengthening provision is
constructed; increase is expressed here as a percent (%) of the overall construction cost
2. An estimate of the effectiveness of a particular seismic strengthening provision with regard to
improving the seismic resistance of the building structure as a whole.
High- very effective
Low-somewhat effective

16

FIGURE 7: Illustration of Seismic Strengthening Techniques

11 References
List documents/publications referred to in filling out this form
The 1951 Building Code of the Province of San Juan
Earthquake-proof Norms Concar 70
International Projects Between Architectural Design and Structural Design in High Seismic Risk
Areas (building level San Juan, 1989 San Juan Argentina)

12 Contributors
Participant #1

Participant#2

Participant#3

Mara I Yacante
Architect
Professor Researcher
Av. Libertador 1068 (s)

Sergio Reiloba
Architect
Professor - Researcher
Napolen Borini 4955 (o)

Zip Code
Country
Phone

Virginia I Rodriguez
Architect
Professor Researcher
B UDAP III M.E
Mblock 1 Piso 1
5425
San Juan Argentina
54-264- 4342556

5400
San Juan - Argentina
54-264-4218409

5400
San Juan Argentina
54-264-4331776

Fax

54-264- 4342556

Email

deskjet@impsat1.com.ar

Name
Title/Position
Affiliation
Address

cereiloba@mixmail.com

17