NewsWhore
01-28-2010, 01:40 PM
Structural engineers and seismologists are warning that 1,500 government buildings nationwide are at risk of collapse or serious damage in a major earthquake. As reported in El Dia, members of the Dominican Society of Seismology and Seismic Engineering (Sodosismica) warned that the DR could be affected by a disaster worse than Haiti if a fixed program to review and improve the structures is not undertaken. They said that many of these structures were built prior to the existence of the current engineering codes that if implemented correctly would prevent the damage.
Leonardo Reyes Madera, Rafael Corominas Pepin, Juan Alberto Chalas and Hector O'Reilly met at the Corripio luncheon meeting to discuss the DR's situation and lessons to be learned from the earthquake in Haiti.
Rafael Corominas Pepin, who chaired the 2003 Commission during the Mejia government that analyzed the DR after the 2003 earthquake and made recommendations, said that this report and recommendations had been filed away.
Corominas Pepin is insisting on the need to reinforce these constructions. He worked in the National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Edifices that opened in 2001 to evaluate government buildings and reinforce them. Studies carried out point to the 1,500 vulnerable structures. "The problem with the plan is that it is neither applauded nor does it produce votes," said Corominas. He said there were also conflicts of interest with the engineers who carry out the constructions.
As reported in Hoy, he said that his replacement, architect Angel Ramirez, had told him, "I am not here to talk about earthquakes or anything like that. I am here to get a pick-up, a chauffeur, gasoline and a good salary because I want to be a deputy."
Corominas Pepin said that one of the problems is that seismic plans are not required from the builders for the construction of buildings under 4 floors in height. He said this is absurd when most public hospitals and schools are under 4 floors high.
They made the point that Minister of Education Melanio Paredes said that 101 schools had suffered damage in the 13 January quake in Haiti, which Corominas said was a matter for major concern. In the September 2003 earthquake, a public school collapsed in Puerto Plata. There were no injuries because the earthquake occurred early in the morning. Corominas says that the schools must be strengthened immediately.
Engineer O'Reilly says that the DR has had regulations in place since 1979 that reinforce construction, but the problem is that it is up to the engineers and builders to keep to the regulations and not cut costs.
The seismologists said that the island of Hispaniola has been affected by earthquakes in 1562, 1701, 1760, 1770, 1842, 1860, 1904 and 1946, evidence that these phenomena are cyclical. The most vulnerable cities are Moca, San Francisco de Macoris, Salcedo, Tenares, Santiago, La Vega and Montecristi. The seismologists said that Santiago must not grow to the north, which is its most vulnerable section.
Reyes Madera said that Sodosismica has delivered a new ruling to the Ministry of Public Works for constructions to replace those of 1979. This would eliminate the construction of buildings with a parking area on the first floor. He said this building method can survive an earthquake if implemented correctly, saying that this was not unusual in Japan, where earthquakes are frequent. He said the new ruling establishes the areas where buildings higher than four floors can be built.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)
Leonardo Reyes Madera, Rafael Corominas Pepin, Juan Alberto Chalas and Hector O'Reilly met at the Corripio luncheon meeting to discuss the DR's situation and lessons to be learned from the earthquake in Haiti.
Rafael Corominas Pepin, who chaired the 2003 Commission during the Mejia government that analyzed the DR after the 2003 earthquake and made recommendations, said that this report and recommendations had been filed away.
Corominas Pepin is insisting on the need to reinforce these constructions. He worked in the National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Edifices that opened in 2001 to evaluate government buildings and reinforce them. Studies carried out point to the 1,500 vulnerable structures. "The problem with the plan is that it is neither applauded nor does it produce votes," said Corominas. He said there were also conflicts of interest with the engineers who carry out the constructions.
As reported in Hoy, he said that his replacement, architect Angel Ramirez, had told him, "I am not here to talk about earthquakes or anything like that. I am here to get a pick-up, a chauffeur, gasoline and a good salary because I want to be a deputy."
Corominas Pepin said that one of the problems is that seismic plans are not required from the builders for the construction of buildings under 4 floors in height. He said this is absurd when most public hospitals and schools are under 4 floors high.
They made the point that Minister of Education Melanio Paredes said that 101 schools had suffered damage in the 13 January quake in Haiti, which Corominas said was a matter for major concern. In the September 2003 earthquake, a public school collapsed in Puerto Plata. There were no injuries because the earthquake occurred early in the morning. Corominas says that the schools must be strengthened immediately.
Engineer O'Reilly says that the DR has had regulations in place since 1979 that reinforce construction, but the problem is that it is up to the engineers and builders to keep to the regulations and not cut costs.
The seismologists said that the island of Hispaniola has been affected by earthquakes in 1562, 1701, 1760, 1770, 1842, 1860, 1904 and 1946, evidence that these phenomena are cyclical. The most vulnerable cities are Moca, San Francisco de Macoris, Salcedo, Tenares, Santiago, La Vega and Montecristi. The seismologists said that Santiago must not grow to the north, which is its most vulnerable section.
Reyes Madera said that Sodosismica has delivered a new ruling to the Ministry of Public Works for constructions to replace those of 1979. This would eliminate the construction of buildings with a parking area on the first floor. He said this building method can survive an earthquake if implemented correctly, saying that this was not unusual in Japan, where earthquakes are frequent. He said the new ruling establishes the areas where buildings higher than four floors can be built.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)