What is the quality of construction in Bulgaria and could our buildings withstand powerful earthquakes?
The powerful earthquakes in Turkey and Syria raised the important question of the quality of construction in our country and whether the buildings could withstand such tremors. Speaking to „ Bulgaria On Air “ Prof. Dimitar Kislyakov from the National Centre of Seismic Engineering at thе University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy commented that the pictures we have seen testify to real horror . They show clearly that entire neighborhoods have collapsed to the ground .
He stressed that engineers do not work with the Richter scale . They use very different data. But no matter how a building is designed, there can always be an impact that is greater than anticipated and it can lead to destruction.
Prof. Kislyakov also explained that construction was a responsibility and it was clearly spelled out in each of its stages. The architect is the person who envisions the building structure. The engineer then has to ensure it stands. This is how changes sometimes come about.
There is also a mechanism to control the execution of the project . Moreover, legislation is developing in this direction and all these mechanisms are being updated, but not as intensively as reality actually requires.
Prof. Kislyakov pointed out that the competent design of buildings could provide maximum protection for people . Survey work should also be done to be of good quality. It should be known what foundation the building is on. For example, prefabricated ones are different from the rest. However, the problems are related to the fact that the inhabitants are doing alterations on their own and knocking out load-bearing walls, beams and thus displacing structural elements.
Prof. Kislyakov explained that the design and implementation is currently being carried out according to the regulations. But the problem comes from the old building stock . And it is neither designed nor implemented according to the anti-seismic requirements.
As far as Turkey is concerned, it is generally a seismic area and this is known. The existence of a National School there also leads to an adequate response. Bulgaria has also had one, and for decades, and it still has a way to be restored.
