The facade walls are of reinforced CMU construction, and were severely damaged, with loss of glass windows, glass block inserts, and severely cracked CMU. Evidently, the isolation joint at the top of the walls, if any, did not provide for sufficient movement due to interstory drift.
Source: Conrad Paulson and Larry Hultengren
Approximately 15 story structural steel framed high-rise in northwest San Salvador. Resistance to lateral load is provided by a steel moment frame structure, possibly with some reinforced concrete shear walls. Indication of limited yielding was observed in a few steel beam members, as evidenced by flaking paint. (The El Salvador building code does not require fireproofing of structural steel.)
Source: Conrad Paulson and Larry Hultengren
Damage to staircase at Maternidad Hospital in San Salvador. Building still in use.
Source: Manuel Lopez Menjivar
Collapsed bahareque construction in Armenia, with wood and tile roof.
Source: Manuel Lopez Menjivar
Bahareque housing construction in Armenia damaged--building will be demolished.
Source: Manuel Lopez Menjivar
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