YEREVAN IS NOT READY FOR THE SEISMIC RISK
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[03:10 pm] 13 June, 2006
Yerevan is located in the territory of great seismic risk, and
about 45% of its total territory has a high seismic risk. Michael
Melqumyan, chairman of the Seismic Proof Armenian Association briefed
the journalists the results of the Armenian seismologists’ observation.
He claims that in case there is an earthquake in Armenian having
the force of the earthquake of 1988 or if the hearth of the Garni
earthquake activates “nothing will remain of Yerevan, there will be
about 300 thousand victims, and 80% of buildings will level to the
ground.” This possibility is ignored while building elite blocks of
flats in the city centre. “If I were the head of the constructions
I wouldn’t build multi-storeyed buildings,” urges professor Melqumyan.
As a witness of the current construction work implemented in the
capital he assumes, “It is the outcome of nowadays demand. But if
there is a demand it must be realized properly.” By this he means that
seismic isolation pillows must be used during the construction as at
present many organizations apply various technologies to provide the
seismic proof of their buildings.
The number of the organizations which order and use seismic isolation
pillows during the construction work is not significant. At first
sight it seems that the pillows are connected with great expenses as
the price is 550 – 750 USD per a pillow. For instance, 170 seismic
isolation cushions are required for 10-storeyed building. This gives
ground for constructive organizations to apply other technologies. But
according to the professor more constructive material is needed in
case they don’t use cushions.
“Intellect is needed for all these calculations.
People should realize the effect of the system,” maintains the
professor. By the way, there are 4 factories in Armenia producing
seismic isolation cushion. In Melqumyan’s words there are a lot of
unsafe buildings in Armenia and their security must be the foremost
task for the country. He claims that the money given by international
organizations was not to be spent on the construction of roads and ways
but in other way, “If I were the Prime Minister of the country I would
have started from schools, kindergartens, as all these infrastructures
will be useless if all the buildings are ruined.” By the way a project
aimed at the provision of the seismic security of Yerevan was presented
to the government. Though the government supported it the cost of
the project is 4 milliard USD and the country cannot afford it.
International conference devoted to the matters of seismic security
will be held in Armenia on June 15 – 17. 40 representatives from 9
countries will participate in the conference.