University of Seville

Structures and Geotechnics

University of Seville

Structures and Geotechnics

  • Dissemination

2023 – Diario Córdoba -The Mosque-Cathedral could withstand an earthquake thanks to its architectural structure

The building could withstand the force of an earthquake, suffering only minor damage to the north wall facing the Patio de los Naranjos

The study was conducted by the Higher Technical School of Architecture (ETSA) at the University of Seville. The Mosque-Cathedral could withstand an earthquake thanks to its architectural structure. The building could withstand the force of an earthquake, suffering only minor damage to the north wall facing the Patio de los Naranjos. The study was carried out by the Higher Technical School of Architecture (ETSA) at the University of Seville.

La propia estructura de la Mezquita de Córdoba, dispuesta en naves conformadas por arcadas sobre columnas, le aporta flexibilidad ante cualquier movimiento sísmico.
The very structure of the Mosque of Córdoba, arranged in aisles formed by arcades over columns, provides it with flexibility in the face of any seismic movement. / FRANCISCO GONZÁLEZ

Diario CÓRDOBA

According to a study conducted by the Department of Building Structures and Geotechnical Engineering at the Higher Technical School of Architecture (ETSA) of the University of Seville, the Mezquita-Catedral could withstand an earthquake thanks to its architectural structure. The Real Círculo de la Amistad hosted a conference on Wednesday titled “The Mosque-Cathedral in the Face of an Earthquake: A Theoretical Case”, where studies carried out by the Department of Building Structures and Geotechnical Engineering at ETSA were presented. These studies thoroughly analyzed how the monument would react to a hypothetical earthquake.

Protection and Prevention Protocols

The event began with a welcome from the Dean-President of the Cathedral Cabildo, Joaquín Alberto Nieva, who thanked the large group of attendees for their presence. He also explained that this study is part of various protection and prevention protocols established by the institution, which are constantly being reviewed and improved. Among them are the self-protection plan, asset safeguarding plan, and fire prevention plan—protocols largely unknown to the public but essential for managing the monument.

Architect Gabriel Rebollo, the building’s conservation architect, acknowledged that this study addresses an area that had not previously been approached scientifically, making this research “tremendously useful and important” for ongoing conservation work.

Representates del Cabildo, del Ayuntamiento y los investigadores que han llevado a cabo el estudio, en su presentación en el Círculo de la Amistad.
Representatives from the Cathedral Chapter, the City Council, and the researchers who conducted the study were present at the event held at the Círculo de la Amistad. / CÓRDOBA

The Key to Earthquake Resistance: Its Layout of Columned Aisles

Next, members of the ETSA research team, specifically María Victoria Requena and Antonio Morales, presented their findings. They explained that the study is pioneering because it uses cutting-edge technology to create finite element numerical models, which allow the simulation and analysis of various hypothetical earthquake scenarios.

Access to the complete article here.