Out-Of-Plane Behaviour of a Dry-Jointed Mortar Block Room Simulating an Inca Room in Coricancha Temple, Cusco, Peru

Solis J.J.S.; Albarracín Y.D.M.; Cusi L.L. · RILEM Bookseries (2026) · DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-13469-1_123

Resumen

Inca structures, celebrated for their enduring solidity and symmetry, face persistent threats from seismic activity, heavy rainfall, and ground settlement, particularly impacting out-of-plane stability. Within this context, the Coricancha Temple, an emblematic Inca precinct in Cusco, houses the Illapa Room, structurally damaged by ground settlement, a consequence of these factors. This study investigates the overturning capacity of a 1:10 scale model of the Illapa Room, constructed with two-leaf cement mortar block walls as a substitute for the complex natural stone carving. The experimental model was subjected to rotational tests on a turning table, with rotations applied both parallel and perpendicular to the front face. The structure partially collapsed at different rotation angles depending on the direction of analysis, ranging from 8.9° to 13.8°. A loss of structural integrity in the percentage range of 48% to 77.4% was observed due to this partial collapse. The front face demonstrated the lowest overturning resistance, attributed to its door openings and greater longitudinal dimension relative to the lateral faces. Conversely, the right and rear faces exhibited the highest resistance, correlated with a higher concentration of through stones, which provide significant wall stiffening. Understanding Inca structural behaviour under overturning analysis is essential for long-term preservation and intergenerational legacy. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas; Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú