Carbon fiber reinforcement in educational buildings in Mexico City, with structural deformations due to the seismic effects of 2017

Abstract

The deformation effects caused by the earthquake of September 19, 2017, with a magnitude M=7.1, resulted in the structural weakening of more than 2000 educational establishments (Gómez, 2020, p.7). However, the alternative of implementing synthetic polymer fibers has generated a new life expectancy for these buildings; increasing its load capacity by up to 10 times its original value. Therefore, the structural behavior of school buildings built between the decades of the 70s and 90s, under the direction of the Administrative Committee of the Federal School Construction Program (CAPFCE), is analyzed, verifying their load capacity for the current regulatory requirements and determining their possible structural reinforcement by means of carbon fibers. Finally, the criteria for strengthening its load-bearing elements (columns) are suggested, thus guaranteeing the preservation of the buildings and the structural and use longevity, as a guarantee for their occupants.