This study examines the seismic vulnerability of reinforced concrete structures in Mozambique, focusing on the effects of seismic action on structural performance and safety. Due to a lack of seismic-specific regulations in Mozambique, many structures are built without considering earthquake resilience. This research evaluates a reinforced concrete building's response to seismic forces using modal analysis by response spectrum, guided by Eurocode 8 standards. The study begins with an overview of Mozambique's seismic history, geological features, and high-risk regions. It also explores structural design practices in the context of Mozambique’s limited regulatory framework (REBAP/RSA). Using Robot Structural Analysis Professional software (2020), we conduct a modal analysis to assess structural behavior beyond the elastic range. Our results indicate maximum displacements of 1.7–1.9 cm and basal shear forces of 1,423–1,282 kN in the X and Y directions, respectively. Floor drift ranges from 0.28 to 0.83, with modal data showing that the first mode, dominated by torsion (86.06%), compromises seismic resilience. The second mode exhibits a translation in the X direction with a modal participation of 96.83%, while the third mode shows a translation in the Y direction with a modal participation of 98.74%. These findings imply the structure lacks adequate torsional resistance, potentially endangering its seismic integrity. Future research should explore model variations and analyze structural responses on different types of soil. Investigating optimized building designs to meet seismic demands in Mozambique and globally could improve safety in earthquake-prone areas.
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