“Iron Cages.” Technical Discussions after the 1906 Valparaíso Earthquake and Reconstruction with New Techniques and Materials

Abstract

The solutions used for reconstruction ranged from proven inefficiencies prior to the earthquake to new techniques and materials. In this area, the use of steel with imported pre-manufactured systems as well as local solutions stands out. The need to reconstruct public and private buildings in Valparaiso with a reliable and fast system leaned the choice at the beginning towards the use of pre-manufactured metal structures. In the analysis of the material choice, it should be taken into account that just in 1924 Chile had a local steel production, with a brief and failed attempt in 1910 in the Altos Hornos de Corral.