Advances on the Finite Elements Method applicability for the structural analysis of adobe buildings on the Jujuy province

Abstract

Adobe masonry is a traditional construction technique which remains in use in seismically active zones of Argentina, such as the Argentinian Norwest region. Its presence in large part of the built heritage of said region, and its fundamental role in current urban construction, motives the study of tools for its correct structural analysis, in the search for designing efficient responses to underlying seismic risks. This article presents a methodological implementation, based on a joint work between field surveys and office tasks, which seeks to apply the Finite Element Method as a structural analysis tool in the Tilcara’s district, province of Jujuy.