Santo Domingo.- Most of the towers and other constructions in the capital and other cities wouldn’t withstand a strong earthquake, because they were built without regard for the seismic resistant code in effect, which the Public Works Ministry must comply with.
The affirmation is by Dominican Engineers, Architects and Surveyors Guild (CODIA) president Domingo Tavera, in an interview for newspaper Hoy, in the cathedral Primada de America.
He said however that the towers currently being built in Santo Domingo do abide by the anti-earthquake code. “It’s necessary to adapt the majority of the other towers to the new anti-earthquake code.”
Tavera said many towers have “pathologies which in other countries have made them collapse from earthquakes of a certain magnitude, like the so-called smooth floors, which is when the first level such as parking lot is used based only on columns. “
Among other “pathologies” the expert cited the short columns and asymmetric buildings, which would be affected by a magnitude 7 quake or higher. “Those pathologies have collapsed in other countries such as in Chile, Turkey and Mexico.”
The Codia president added that the implementation of the new anti-earthquake code increases the cost of construction of towers and other high buildings. ”The new anti-earthquake code is being applied. It’s up to the Public Works Ministry and the city councils to guard for its compliance.”
From: Dominican Republic
Lousy automated translation, however in principle the article has merit.
Written by: josean, 12 Jan 2012 6:23 AM
From: United States, Dedicating 4 more years to fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia
These dam negative engineers!
Written by: Atabey, 12 Jan 2012 6:46 AM
From: United States, NYC
Good article and the gist of its message is easy to understand: DR has tall buildings that are structurally vulnerable to magnitude 7 earthquakes or higher and needs to re-enforce those structures. The good: the current crop of tall structures are being constructed with the more exacting code modifications.
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
Let me guess, the one that leo built is the safer one.. only because he used cocaine for mortar
Written by: Yucahu, 12 Jan 2012 8:11 AM
From: United States, Miami
Hahahahaha!!
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I am moderately happy that after 400 years nearly all the colonial buildings , some of three and four stories are still strong with minimum maintenance and so we are worried about the modern higher towers that the Dominican architects designed and are now calling unsafe ., Nothing much can be done now about their errors that they are admitting to ,,except have good escape plans
From: Dominican Republic, La Romana
The idea of a seismic bldg. code is correct but as WE ALL KNOW everyone is a prostitue. Just a little bit of money offered by the builders and the inspectors will sell their children. Same old story differant day.
From: United States
ho hum. i stated this two years ago in a posting on the forum, and Mr Dom went ballistic. old news.
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
You and me both Dread. I travel to DR 8x in the last two years and whenever I had the chance I would visit the new constructions multiple times and not once have I seen seismic bracing or inserts.
From: United States
RobertoJose, i do remember that you were one of the guys on my side in that furor
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
just avoid Naco and Piantini and a few buildings on the Malecon and you will be as safe as all Dominicans have been here since Nicolas de Ovando started his wonderful city
From: Dominican Republic, Civil Rights and Peace Activist for Our Dominican People
From: Puerto Rico, United States, HAITI, Puerto Rico
Terrible, terrible. These engineers and building designers knew but they didnt care smh
From: United States
these engineers are saying this after theyve been building crap structures for decades
at least this is a step in bringing the problem out
of course theres no corruption between public works ministry and the engineers/architects to approve buildings which ignore earthquake codes
Written by: RoyStone, 13 Jan 2012 7:38 AM
From: Australia
Don't put your faith in scientists and engineers. Trust in Jesus, (as they did in Haiti).
Written by: RoyStone, 13 Jan 2012 7:52 AM
From: Australia
When Truilljo rebuilt Santo Domingo with American Red Cross money after hurricane San Zenon , he renamed the city after himself.
What will be the new name after the next big earthquake brings down these ivory towers in the capital?
From: United States
Leopoldville
Written by: RoyStone, 13 Jan 2012 6:01 PM
From: Australia
Hippopolis?
Santo Doministan?
Narcopolis?
Written by: RoyStone, 16 Jan 2012 5:01 AM
From: Australia
New Babylon?
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These dam negative engineers!
Of course the country would be in caous, this subject was expansively discussed over two years ago in the following forum "Is our Dominican Government and Hospitals ready for an earthquake in DR?"
:
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/....ls-ready-for-an-earthquake-in-DR-
at least this is a step in bringing the problem out
of course theres no corruption between public works ministry and the engineers/architects to approve buildings which ignore earthquake codes
What will be the new name after the next big earthquake brings down these ivory towers in the capital?
Santo Doministan?
Narcopolis?