Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
Learning From Earthquakes

Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) Field Report

November 30, 2018

by E.D. Booth, MA, MICE, MIStructE J.W. Pappin, BE, ME, PhD, MICE J.H. Mills, BEng, PhD, MICE M.R. Degg, BSc R.S. Steedman, BSc, MPhil, PhD

September 1986, EEFIT

This report was made possible by generous funding, which EEFIT records with sincere gratitude, from the following: Ove Arup & Partners, Consulting Engineers, London The British Government, through the Science and Engineering Research Council Allott & Lomax, Consulting Engineers, Manchester Reinsurance Offices Association, London.

The Mexican earthquake of 19th September 1985 was one of the most destructive this century in terms of damage to modern, medium to high rise construction. It was also unusual in that major damage occurred at an epicentral distance of 400km, due to abnormally large local soil amplification effects. The earthquake therefore held the promise of exceptional richness in its lessons for the earthquake engineering community. On the day after the earthquake, EEFIT (Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team) met to prepare for a field mission to Mexico. EEFIT had been founded in 1981 (EEFIT 1983) as an association of earthquake engineers, architects and scientists, with the aim of reporting back to the UK and international community the lessons to be learnt from damaging earthquakes, based on field investigations. Despite the fact that many other Mexican and international teams were studying the event, its enormous significance was felt to make a UK presence essential, although it was recognized that resources would allow only a selective survey. Other international reports on the event are listed with the references cited at the end of this report.

Read the Report: Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) Field Report (29.8 MB PDF)

Access the report through the EEFIT website: https://www.istructe.org/resources/report/eefit-mission-report-mexico-city,-mexico/