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SANTO DOMINGO.- The recurrent collapse of bridges between the mountain towns of San Jose de Ocoa and Rancho Arriba from swelled rivers could be in their structural design, according to Architects and Engineers Guild (Codia) president Esther Morillo.

For civil and hydraulic engineer Salvador Piñeyro, the lack of management of the topsoil and watersheds lead to runoffs that exceed a bridge’s capacity.

 They said contractors would have to answer for damages only if hidden defects in a structure are found.

 Morillo said the guild will evaluate and determine the causes, while Piñeyro stressed that the lack of a watershed management plan is one of the major problems.

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COMMENTS
8 comment(s)
Written by: BASTA, 28 Aug 2012 8:17 AM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs/Free abortions for all
Just wait until the Metro goes.
Written by: Ricardolito, 28 Aug 2012 8:37 AM
From: Dominican Republic, calle A.Portes
I think it is a combination of both ,,,the old bridges were built when the rivers upstream were not denuded of vegetation and the topsoil was more stable ...and also the design of the old bridges is based on building the cheapest way ...short term solution.
I doubt whether there were any weight bearing studies conducted on the hundreds of old bridges here but I do know that modern materials that are used now were not available then ...they need to be progressively replaced because all the maintenance in the world cannot remedy cheap construction . The metro will outlast us all
Written by: RobertoJose, 28 Aug 2012 8:53 AM
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... ((You're blind to the fact that you're blind))
"They said contractors would have to answer for damages only if hidden defects in a structure are found."....How about the calc's, someone had to design those bridges.....right? I mean a competent engineer would have surveys done, would also have the flood zoning maps in hand I assume. Wait!!!... What about the presidential construction adviser Felix Da' Rat Bautista? Lets ask him for his evaluation, I didn't see any news of his replacement.....He must be available for Q's and A's..
Written by: zooma, 28 Aug 2012 10:00 AM
From: United States

If you really get to the basics: (1) the root cause of the failures is a lack of sufficient funding to properly engineer and construct the structures. (2) a purchasing culture that provides only for quick and cheap results rather than pay more up front for durable construction that saves money over the life of the structure.

It is sort of having a budget to engineer and fabricate only a 1987 Yugo when higher funding will get you the reliability and durability of a Honda or Toyota.

You get what you pay for.



Written by: josean, 28 Aug 2012 10:26 AM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016

Ah but when josean asks the question the PURPLE CLAPPING SEALS at DT go into epileptic convulsions!

Written by: BASTA, 28 Aug 2012 11:05 AM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs/Free abortions for all
I mean a competent engineer would have surveys done,== Not on the Metro was this done!
Written by: MrThelmoAlmeydaRancier, 28 Aug 2012 3:17 PM
From: United States, NJ
I think not only of the worst material been used but also the engineers are not up to par with the
international building codes. I'll give you an example; How come all the R/R bridges going from Santiago to PTO PTA lasted over 75 years in place untill Trujillo desided to take it apart for his use at Rio Jaina & Catarey cane fields, They were good and desmantled to be carried by PATANAS to the South,The railings for the rifle manufacturing, in San Cristobal.
The concrete bases are still standing. This proves that the Belgians knew their business when it came to R/R and the tunnel, now over125 years old in ALTAMIRAS ,PTO PTA, still been used for auto,trucks,busses service between the two cities.
You notice any major project in DR has to be constructed by foreign co? This tells you the locals are not capable,including the METRO,Unless you have gvt inspectors on sight called "Contract Compliance"they will shaft the gvt.
Written by: CarlosFranco, 28 Aug 2012 4:26 PM
From: United States, Brooklyn

@ Basta & Josean

why don't bridges fall in Haiti... Cuz they have NONE.

jajajajjajajajaja
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