Geotechnical zonation and soil–structure interaction at Puerto Vallarta, México

Abstract

We performed a seismic vulnerability assessment that involves geotechnical and building structure analysis for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a city located along the pacific coast. Puerto Vallarta, like many other Latin American cities, has significant seismic risk. We implemented the multichannel analysis of surface waves and the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio methods to estimate shear wave velocity and soil resonance frequency. We considered a standard penetration test to determine the penetration resistance and soil classification. We divided the Puerto Vallarta into four zones according to a building taxonomy based on construction materials and structural systems and story number and height. The VS30 parameter shows that Puerto Vallarta has soil types C, D, and E according to the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP). We classified the soil into three types based on the estimated fundamental period, TS. Both VS30 and TS parameters showed an overall transition of soil properties from the mountain toward the valley area. The standard penetration tests corroborate the results of the implemented geophysical methods. The correlation between the fundamental period of the soil and the fundamental period of the most common building types at each zone of Puerto Vallarta indicates high seismic vulnerability. We identify building vulnerability to resonance effects principally at the south and along the coast of the Puerto Vallarta. This work combines academic and governmental efforts to solve a real and transcendental problem since it might directly affect the regulation and evaluations of structures in the area.