Seismologists and structural engineers are adamant that although the February 6 tremors were extremely strong and prolonged, if the buildings were constructed according to safety standards, they would have survived.
What is the situation in our country?
A quarter of the population in the cities of our country lives in large-panel construction. That is why experts are conducting a survey of a characteristic panel block in the capital’s “Druzhba” district, revealing the dowel connections between the individual panels.
“We made six such discoveries and what we found is the following – they were carried out in accordance with the project documentation from the 60s. Precisely because of what has been said recently, that there were papers etc. in the dowels between the mounting elements – such traces are not we have discovered. Citizens can be calm about their large-panel homes,” explained to BTV the expert in surveying building structures, Eng. Georgi Cordov.
However, the removal of walls in dwellings at personal discretion creates a risk.
“All the walls have their contribution in absorbing the seismic impacts. Connecting the kitchens to the balconies – this is unacceptable,” he added.
The National Center for Seismic Engineering conducts earthquake simulations to test the stability of buildings. Brick buildings are also considered stable by experts.
“The walls are slightly thicker, which increases the resistance in terms of absorbing some of the seismic forces through the walls, but still, in a future certification, if necessary, certain structures will be prescribed to be reinforced after design. There is not currently cause for great concern,” explained the head of the National Center for Seismic Engineering, Prof. Dr. Eng. Petar Pavlov.
However, the reconstruction of ground floors in large administrative buildings can be dangerous.
“Reinforced concrete washers may be missing. As a result, the lower floor turns out to be flexible and there is such a collapse literally from above,” said Engineer Cordov.
According to the experts, the most important thing is the maintenance of the buildings.
