Natural periods of the deposits subjected to the analysis indicate that the city rests on firm soils. For their configuration, they are soils of stable dynamic conditions.
The spectral response shapes present a displacement of the maximum spectral acceleration period toward lower periods in the sites to the east of the city. Nevertheless, the differences of the response between eastern and western sites are too small as to justify proposing different smoothened spectra for each of the areas.
The periods at which the greater spectral accelerations take place (between 0,10s and 0,36s), correspond to the oscillation periods of the most common structures (from one level to 4 or 5 storey buildings). This means that the constructions ordinarily found in Managua are in fact those that present greater seismic hazard. Most of the new hotels and commercial centres are single or few storeys high. These constructions will also be susceptible of suffering the biggest accelerations during a seismic event with origin in a shallow source.
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Last updated: Sat, 31 Jan 2004