Manzanillo Mexico’s SSAMM Terminal: Lessons Learned from 1995 and 2003 Earthquakes

摘要

Since it began operations in 1995, Stevedoring Services of America’s Manzanillo Mexico (SSAMM) container terminal has experienced two significant earthquakes. The first, a magnitude 8.0 event in October 1995, caused severe damage to the 250-meter Phase 1 marginal wharf and container yard. Approximately eight years later, by which time two additional 250-meter wharves and a container yard expansion had been completed, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake again shook the facility, causing additional damage to the various facilities. rn This paper discusses the performance of the different lateral-force resisting systems used at the SSAMM terminal, particularly with respect to newer performance-based design approaches. The effectiveness of ground-improvement techniques used at the facility is also discussed, together with the performance of slopes, bulkheads, and seismic joint details. The lessons-learned are then applied to the design of the upcoming final phase of wharf and container yard expansion, currently scheduled to start construction at the end of 2004.