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REINFORCING BUILDINGS VERY CHEAP AND EASY - SPECIALIST RESPONDS TO EARTHQUAKE CONCERNS
10:56 * 08.07.14
In connection with the population's increased concerns caused by
the recent earthquakes in Armenia's north, Tert.am has talked to
Academician Mikael Melkumyan, a doctor professor in technical sciences.
How do you estimate the seismic resistance of buildings in Armenia?
The buildings in Armenia date mainly from the Soviet period. The
seismic threat on Armenia's territory was underestimated then; that's
why buildings were being designed to resist quakes measuring seven or
maximum eight points. The seismic norms today are designed for 9-point
earthquakes. So the conclusion is that the seismic resistance of the
buildings in Armenia does not conform to the norms in effect.
The buildings, especially those in Yerevan are thought to be weak
enough to resist a possible powerful earthquakes. What's your opinion
on that?
I have expressed that opinion. Should an earthquake - as powerful
as the one in Spitak [1988] - ever strike Yerevan, eighty percent
of the buildings will collapse, claiming 300,000 lives and leaving
countless others crippled and without home.
What's your opinion on the [building] reinforcement activities,
projects and investments by the Ministry of Emergency Situations?
I find that the Ministry of Emergency Situations is carrying out
considerably serious work, but it has to focus preventive activities.
The must request money from the Government to do all that. People
here seem to have totally forgotten that we live in a seismically
sensitive country. They speak of anything and carry out any work,
painting shattered buildings and paving streets with asphalt ten times,
but they do not seem to understand that it is necessary to reinforce
hospitals and government buildings.
Is it possible to reinforce rather than rebuild our buildings?
There are now numerous methods of building reinforcement today. One of
them I have created myself; it is based on an earthquake-proof system.
The method helps to cheaply and quickly reinforce constructions. We
already have such an experience and are known as a world leader with
our seismic isolation technologies of reinforcing buildings. So having
such brilliant technologies today, is it possible to sit and wait
until the next earthquake occurs? No large-scale program is being
implemented. I find that a national security problem.
What will you say about the seismic resistance of the buildings
constructed in the [post]-independence period.
The buildings constructed in the [post]-independence period are
certainly more quake-resistant compared to the old constructions. And
though buildings are projected in accordance with the [new] norms,
it is necessary to keep in mind that we have the corruption problem in
our country. I personally do not hope that the constructions are very
well-built. Design companies in our country have grown like a mushroom
after rain, as it is very easy to obtain a license today. So anyone
is granted a license to carry out development work regardless of the
ability to do so. I have personally witnessed several poor projects.
So I cannot be one hundred percent confident that the newly-built
constructions are quake-resistant.
Armenian News - Tert.am
10:56 * 08.07.14
In connection with the population's increased concerns caused by
the recent earthquakes in Armenia's north, Tert.am has talked to
Academician Mikael Melkumyan, a doctor professor in technical sciences.
How do you estimate the seismic resistance of buildings in Armenia?
The buildings in Armenia date mainly from the Soviet period. The
seismic threat on Armenia's territory was underestimated then; that's
why buildings were being designed to resist quakes measuring seven or
maximum eight points. The seismic norms today are designed for 9-point
earthquakes. So the conclusion is that the seismic resistance of the
buildings in Armenia does not conform to the norms in effect.
The buildings, especially those in Yerevan are thought to be weak
enough to resist a possible powerful earthquakes. What's your opinion
on that?
I have expressed that opinion. Should an earthquake - as powerful
as the one in Spitak [1988] - ever strike Yerevan, eighty percent
of the buildings will collapse, claiming 300,000 lives and leaving
countless others crippled and without home.
What's your opinion on the [building] reinforcement activities,
projects and investments by the Ministry of Emergency Situations?
I find that the Ministry of Emergency Situations is carrying out
considerably serious work, but it has to focus preventive activities.
The must request money from the Government to do all that. People
here seem to have totally forgotten that we live in a seismically
sensitive country. They speak of anything and carry out any work,
painting shattered buildings and paving streets with asphalt ten times,
but they do not seem to understand that it is necessary to reinforce
hospitals and government buildings.
Is it possible to reinforce rather than rebuild our buildings?
There are now numerous methods of building reinforcement today. One of
them I have created myself; it is based on an earthquake-proof system.
The method helps to cheaply and quickly reinforce constructions. We
already have such an experience and are known as a world leader with
our seismic isolation technologies of reinforcing buildings. So having
such brilliant technologies today, is it possible to sit and wait
until the next earthquake occurs? No large-scale program is being
implemented. I find that a national security problem.
What will you say about the seismic resistance of the buildings
constructed in the [post]-independence period.
The buildings constructed in the [post]-independence period are
certainly more quake-resistant compared to the old constructions. And
though buildings are projected in accordance with the [new] norms,
it is necessary to keep in mind that we have the corruption problem in
our country. I personally do not hope that the constructions are very
well-built. Design companies in our country have grown like a mushroom
after rain, as it is very easy to obtain a license today. So anyone
is granted a license to carry out development work regardless of the
ability to do so. I have personally witnessed several poor projects.
So I cannot be one hundred percent confident that the newly-built
constructions are quake-resistant.
Armenian News - Tert.am