The Tesistan, Mexico earthquake (Mw 4.9) of 11 May 2016: seismic-tectonic environment and resonance vulnerability on buildings

Abstract

To highlight the importance of small earthquakes in seismic hazard, a study of the 11 May 2016, Mw 4.9, Tesistan, Mexico earthquake is presented. Due to the close proximity of the event to the city, accelerations were considerably higher than those caused by historical severe earthquakes (6.0 < Mw < 8.2). This paper addresses two objectives related to the Tesistan event: the first is to estimate the focal mechanism solution in order to place the event in the context of the tectonic environment of this area. The second is focused on a vulnerability evaluation of buildings that suffered resonance. Several building’s typologies with variations in construction system and height are assessed in terms of resonance with the structural and soil periods. The results show that around the Zapopan station, strong damage is expected in intermediate to high-rise buildings (12–30 m) with moment resistant frame systems and in reinforced concrete shear walls. Masonry structures around this station may not present resonance. In contrast, in the surroundings of the Guadalajara station, all intermediate height buildings from 9 to 21 m may present resonance.