Seismic behavior of code-designed medium rise special moment-resisting frame RC buildings in soft soils of Mexico city

In this paper the authors summarize some relevant aspects of the seismic behavior of 22 regular, medium-rise reinforced concrete special moment-resisting frame (RC-SMRFs) buildings designed to fulfill the requirements of the seismic and reinforced concrete guidelines of the two more recent versions of Mexico’s Federal District Code (MFDC). Subject buildings were assumed to be located in soft soil conditions, nearby the Ministry of Communications site, where the most important and damaging acceleration SCT-EW record was registered during the Ms=8.1, September 19, 1985 Michoacán earthquake. We reflect about the adequacy of some design recommendations available in MFDC, as well as some design practices and strategies of structural engineers in Mexico.