First South Asia Conference on Earthquake Engineering

(SACEE’19)
21-22 February 2019, Karachi, Pakistan

SEISMIC VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO

TEMPLE IN MORELIA, MEXICO

Guillermo Martinez, David Castillo

Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
Guillermo.mtzruiz@gmail.com,castillo3d.arq@gmail.com

José Jara
Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
jmjara70@gmail.com

Bertha Olmos
Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
ba.olmos@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The mail goal of this work is to have a first approximation of the expected seismic vulnerability
for this emblematic 16th century building, which is part of the historical center of Morelia in
Mexico, a city declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1991. The scope at this first stage of
the study include the modeling and analysis of the building using a 3D elastic tetrahedral finite
elements model, subjected to probabilistic seismic demands with recurrences of 500 and 1000
years in addition to real seismic records.

KEYWORDS
Morelia, Temple, Earthquake, Ambien vibration, Masonry

1. INTRODUCTION

The architectural complex formed by the temple and ex-convent of San Francisco (Figure 1), at the
time of its foundation known as the Franciscan Convent of San Buenaventura, is located in the historic
center of Morelia, Mexico. This architectural complex has a great historical value because is one of the
first religious structures built in the city, and because of this it ahs been considered as the first temple
built in the New Valladolid starting in 1531 and finished in 1570. Its tower remained unfinished until
the year of 1948.

The study of this conventual group and initially the area that corresponds to the temple seeks to diagnose
the structural problems presented today which evidences several recent interventions that, although they
try to improve the structural behavior, they have not been proposed based on the general structural
knowledge of the building propertíes. Therefore, the development of this work seeks to complement
the structural understanding of the heritage of this country, considering the fact that it was built in a
zone with high seismic activity in Mexico.
 Figure 1: Set of the Ex-Convent and Temple of San Francisco.

2. GEOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND RECENT INTERVENTIONS

The building have a single nave formed by a rectangular plant of 12.60 by 48.60 meters in plan, covered
by handkerchief vaults that rise to a height of 17.83 meters at its intrados. The bell tower is attached to
the main façade and both are built in stone masonry (Figure 1); the façade is located facing west and is
composed of two horizontal bodies or levels separated by a cornice; in the upper part there is the coral
window and the frontispiece, and the lower one is formed by a double semicircular arch supported by
pilasters of Corinthian capital. This doorway is surrounded by a pair of Corinthian-style columns
supported on planked pedestals, and these at the top, in turn, support an entablature of smooth frieze
and cornice with four ledges with blacksmith finishing on the pilasters. The intrados of the vault is
adorned with models of geometric designs (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Interior view of the main nave

To the east of the temple is its polygonal apse and its choir and soto-choir to the west, the vaults of the
roof are separated by mid point attached arches. The apse presents vertical cracks of several centimeters
wide between the abutments, which were recently consolidated by mortar injections (Figure 3). Above
the presbytery is the dome, which doesn’t have a drum and is supported by two toral arches that in turn
are supported on pilasters of the longitudinal walls (Figure 2). The main vertical load bearing system
of the temple is formed by the lateral load-bearing walls (north and south) that support the
vaulted roof.
 Figure 3: Apse repaired cracks

3. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND EXPERIMENTAL CAMPAIGNS

For a correct vulnerability assessment, the structural analysis is a tool that helps to better understand
the expected behavior of the old buildings, which must also be complemented by the experience and
the analytical and / or experimental intervention of other disciplines (ISCARSAH, 2003). In older
structures, even when we usually apply the most refined methods of analysis such as non-linear time
history analysis, the level of uncertainty in mechanical and dynamic properties, deterioration due to
time, as well as the effect of different interventions that have been carried out in the past usually produce
inaccuracies that can ultimately disable the benefits of such analysis criteria. For the mentioned reasons,
in the current initial stage of research and diagnosis of the San Francisco temple, the following
hypotheses were considered. As a first approach, a refined model was developed (GID, 2017) with
167109 tetrahedral three-dimensional finite elements (Figure 4) and an analysis was made considering
the linear elastic behavior of the material. The temple is part of a conventual ensemble, so in this first
stage interaction with the two-level cloister was not included, which currently houses the handicraft
house of the state; Neither was considered the effect of the cural house and the cells of the priests, so
the temple was analyzed considering it as an isolated macroelement (Doglioni et al., 1994). The live
loading of the cover was not included in the static and dynamic analysis, because it has an adequate
system rain water drainage.

3.1 Experimental dynamic characterization

In order to have mechanical parameters (ISCARSAH, 2003), initially and approximately, it was decided
to calibrate the numerical model using the measurement and processing of ambient vibrations. The
accelerations records were obtained simultaneously along four points on the longitudinal axis of the
nave and one on the tower at a sample rate of 200 samples per second and with a duration of 10 minutes
(Figure 5). Applying the Peak Picking Technique (Svibs, 2015) in the Frequency domain, a
fundamental frequency of 2.246Hz was obtained, which corresponds to the transversal mode of the
temple (Figure 6), and a second transversal mode of 2.734 Hz (Figure 7). Through an iterative process
a 100% coincidence was achieved with the fundamental mode period, resulting the Young’s modules
indicated in Table 1. Additionally, the fundamental ground period in the atrium area was estimated in
front of the façade using the H / V ratio relationship (Nakamura, 1989), finding a fundamental frequency
of 3.80Hz (Figure 8), which corroborates that the temple is located on a firm ground and a possible
match of frequencies with the nave is ruled out.
The limit values adopted for compressive strength and masonry stress were defined from the PIET
recommendations (PIET, 1971), which suggest that the allowable compression stress is one thousandth
of the Young’s module, and that the tensile strength is between 2.5 and 5% of the latter, which yielded
the values shown in Table 1.
 Figure 4: Numerical modeling for the San Francisco temple

Figure 5: Measurement of ambient vibrations

Sensors location

Figure 6: First vibration mode, 2.246Hz (0.445 sec)

 Sensors location

Figure 7: Second vibration mode, 2.734Hz (0.366 sec)

3.80Hz

H/V

Frequency (Hz)

Figure 8: Measurement of the fundamental frequency of the soil in front façade

Table 1: Calibrated mechanical properties

MATERIALS Value Unit

Young’s module 2100 MPa
Masonry Poisson ratio 0.2

Density 2.2 Ton/m³

Infill Young’s module 5000 Kg/cm²
material Poisson ratio 0.2
in vaults Density 2 Ton/m³
Allowable Compressive strength 2.1 MPa
stress Traction strenght 0.052 MPa

The linear analysis allow to identify the zones with greater stressess, as well as their associated
displacements, providing an idea of the expected damages based on the maximum strenght of the
material. Aware of the level of refinement, this estimate of subjectively inferred damage can help design
an adequate system that stabilizes the elements that may be at risk of serious damage or collapse (Leroy
et al., 2002).
3.2 Analysis by gravitational loads.

For the analysis of gravitational loads the self weight of walls, vaults and fillings was included. The
interpretation of the behavior of the structure reveals the following: the red color indicates the zones
where the compression is less 0.038MPa, while the magenta and the violet indicate those exposed to
the greater stressess equal to 1.15MPa, also in compression. The results show that the structure is
subjected to compression stresses that do not exceed the maximum allowable stress of 2.1MPa, so that
the cracks existing between the tower and the roof conection (Figure 9) can´t be attributed to significant
differences in the compression stresses at the base of the elements.

Figure 9: Distribution of principal stresses in tower-façade conection

On the other hand, in the intrados of the vaults of the temple (Figure 10a) there are compression
stressess at the level of the imposts of the attached arches with a magnitude of 0.596MPa, which are
lower than allowable one, whereas in the intrados of the key of the attached arches and of the vaults,
the longitudinal crack that currently exists (Figure 10b) was probably produced by its self weight, since
the observed preliminary stressess of 0.27MPa exceed the tensile strength considered equal to
0.052MPa; the previous results evidences the presence of the thrust of the arch that generated lateral
displacements enough to produced the mentioned damage. It should be mentioned that on the north
facade there were houses attached to the wall, which were demolished at the beginning of the 20th
century.

a) b)

Figure 10: Self weigh principal stresses in vaults and attached arches
3.3 Earthquake analysis

The seismic demand used was defined using the software PRODISIS v4.1 (IIE, 2015) to generate five
probabilistic artificial seismic signals, three for a return period of 475 years which produce a transparent
spectral ordinate of 0.34g and the remaining two for a period of 975 years, with spectral ordinates of
0.48g, considering stiff soil for both recurrences. On the other hand, three records obtainned in the
seismic stations PHPU, SAPP and THEZ from the Puebla-Morelos september 19, 2017 earthquake and
the seismic record of the earthquake in Tehuacán, Puebla, on June 15, 1999, were also considered.

For the whole considered seismic demand the most vulnerable behavior was observed in the transversal
direction of the building. The record obtained in the station located on rock soil in the Emiliano Zapata
elementary school, in Tehuacan city, Puebla, produced the most critical principal stressess (Figure 11).
This behavior is attributable to the changes of lateral stiffness existing between the nave, the façade,
the bell tower and the choral vault, an effect that produces a flexo-torsion that is generalized to the rest
of the temple.

Figure 11: Principal stressess by action of the earthquake in the transversal direction

One of the most affected macroelemen was the bell tower showing traction stressess reaching 0.127MPa
in the middle of the tower, and traction values of 0.239MPa in the interaction between the façade and
the bell tower (Figures 11, 12). In the same zone, the arched window on the middle of the bell tower
showed a 0.097MPa traction stress and the choral window in the façade suffer a 0.07MPa. Al the
mentioned mentioned stress values exceed the allowable 0.052MPa stress. It can be notice in the
Figures 13 and 14 the existing crack pattern match with this earthquake escenario situation that suggest
an historic event in the zone with similar characteristics than the september 19th 2017 earthquake.
 Figure 12: Principal stressess on the bell-tower and façade macroelements

Figure 13: Existing crack pattern on the main façade

Figure 14: Existing crack pattern on the bell-tower and the façade interaction
At the intrados of the vaults level (Figure 15) for the most critical probabilistic 975 years return period
earthquake, the obtained stressess are mainly compression with a value of 0.20 MPa, however, at the
intrados key of the arches and vaults, there is an amplification of stresses with respect to those observed
in the gravitational condition, reaching values ranging from 0.71Mpa to 1.77MPa, which also increase
its extension, evidencing a bifurcation of the longitudinal crack towards the lateral walls, the coral
window and the main door of the façade; physically, the mentioned coral window crack has
approximately 8cm wide vertically divides the façade (Figure 13).

Figure 15: Principal stresses on the intrados if the main nave vault for the probabilistic
975 years return period earthquake

The lowest calculated displacement was 3.71 centimeters and was located in the north wall, while the
greater elastic displacement had an amplitude of 7cm, which is very similar to the crack width physically
observed on the façade.

4. CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present analysis only included the temple and in this first stage we didn't consider its
interaction with the rest of the former convent, besides that they were obtained considering linear elastic
behavior of a detailed model of finite tetrahedral solid elements. However, despite the limitations
inherent in preliminary elastic analyzes, the following relevant conclusions can be achieved.

From the analysis between gravitational loads it could be verified that there is low lateral stiffness of
the longitudinal walls, even though they have a thickness of about a yard and a half; the fact that there
is not a greater number of buttresses on the north wall, and that the cloister is attached to the south wall
without any abutment, according to the analysis it could have been the main cause of the longitudinal
crack existing in the intrados of the key of the vaults, since the observed traction stresses equal to
0.27MPa exceed the permissible calibrated value of 0.052MPa. It is inferred that, if the vault of the
nave did not have the attached arches, surely the real cracking could have been greater.

With reference to the analyzes carried out with the seismic demand composed of five artificial
probabilistic signals with recurrences of 475 and 975 years, in addition to four real earthquake records
it is concluded that the transversal direction of the temple is the most affected. The traction stresses in
the intrados of the vault were increased with respect to the condition of vertical loads up to maximum
values of 1.17MPa, which exceed by far the allowable traction value standing out the fact that the crack
that can be inferred from the analysis of the principal stresses (and which physically exists), it extends
to the façade dividing it vertically into two macro blocks, which are physically separated by about 8cm,
an opening that is quite similar to the calculated maximum elastic displacement of 7 centimeters,
aditionally, the traction stress get bifurcated towards the lateral walls due to the stiffening effect that
exists in the chorus zone, provided by the choral vault, the façade and the bell tower, which is an
architectural configuration typical of the temples of the convents of the sixteenth century.

Finally the results show a high seismic vulnerability on the arched window and the walls of the middle
part of the bell tower, due to the strong change in stiffness generated with the base of the tower and by
the great mass induced on this zone by the higher segment of the bell tower.

The future work lines are the incorporation in the analysis the effect of the cloister, the cural house and
the priests cells, that is, to consider the whole conventual building. Additionally, it will be important to
involve the non-linear behavior of the material, improve the characterization of the materials, and
corroborate the results applying other analysis criteria recognized for the study of historical buildings.

In short, the present work highlights the importance of the evaluation of the seismic effect in the
structural diagnosis of heritage structures, as the correct way for the preservation of our architectural
legacy to future generations of Mexico and the World.

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