Mexico City: Geotechnical Concerns in the Preservation of Monuments

Abstract

This article presents and describes four case histories, which demonstrate that the role of geotechnical engineering in the preservation of architectural monuments in Mexico City is of paramount importance. Extremely soft soils and regional subsidence have combined to induce damaging differential settlements in a large number of monuments built in the former lake area. Hence, preservation of monuments in the city includes devising geotechnical solutions for correcting, reducing, or arresting differential settlements. The article points out the advantages and limitations of traditional solutions such as surface footings or the use of deep point bearing piles with devices for regulating the magnitude of loads applied on their heads. Other less well known solutions (underexcavation, mortar injection, and the use of isolation trenches) are also described and assessed critically.