A survey of 1,200 schools carried out by the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructures and Buildings (Onesvie) determined that some 300 schools are located on geological faults and are at high risk and require immediate reinforcement. Following the serious earthquake in Turkey, the attention is again focused on the earthquake risks in the Dominican Republic.
Onesvie spokesman Jesus Reyes Madera told El Dia that in the case of hospitals, 70% of the total, or 84 hospitals of 190 could be put out of service or collapse in case of an earthquake of a magnitude of 7 or more. He said 15% of some 500 colonial time edifices would also suffer a similar fate, at least in their facades, if the earthquake reaches a magnitude 7 or more.
Reyes Madera says an earthquake of this magnitude could occur in the so-called Fosa de los Muertos, as well as in the Cibao region. He says there are 14 active tectonic faults here. Yet he said that builders that have applied the 1979 and 2011 Codes should resist.
The seismic specialist engineer says if the country suffers a earthquake of magnitude 7 or more the country will know if builders have truly applied existing Regulation R-001 on Seismic Analysis of Structure.
He explained that while there was a seismic code in 1979, the Ministry of Public Works did not require the seismic force to be applied to buildings of less than four stories.
In 2011, the update of Regulation R-001 of 1979 was published and it was made mandatory for seismic forces to be applied to all types of work to be built, including from one level up.
Reyes Madera says that while the code makes constructions more expensive, a correct application of the regulations is the only guarantee to safeguard human lives and buildings.
The director of Onesvie said that they are focused on the reinforcement of schools and hospitals and on the study of overpasses and overpasses. They are also working on a pilot plan in the Naco sector to determine which structures are visibly vulnerable in order to prevent an emergency, in addition to other supervisions.
At the private level, Onesvie offer a first visual evaluation that is done through the FEMA P-154 form presented by the US Federal Agency, a brochure that depending on the low, high or medium threat zone, says if the buildings meet the requirements.
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El Dia
21 February 2023