We rest because we think we have better designs than Turkey. No matter how objective it may be, we must not forget that we are in the “neighborhood” with high seismicity. The catastrophes in Turkey and Syria should be the trigger for the “reset” of the anti-earthquake policy in our country, which has weakened over the years. Here is what academician, civil engineer, columnist and writer Theodosius Tassios notes in “K”.saying that he was devastated by the images of destruction.

No anti-seismic norms can withstand the monstrous force of this earthquake, he points out and calls for an immediate increase in assistance to Greece and Turkey. “An earthquake hits the poor,” he says.

– Despite the fact that I have been dealing with the problem on an international scale for 50 years already as an engineer and as an expert of UNESCO – and therefore should be more detached – I feel empty. Earthquakes of this magnitude in densely populated areas are very rare, but the number of victims and the scale of the economic consequences are enormous.

– We often say that the structural culture in Turkey is at a lower level than ours. In general, this is the case, although it has improved, because the social conditions in Turkey are very different. At one time, in the 80s, the percentage of arbitrary building reached 50% – and we are not talking about two-story buildings, but about high-rise buildings. In Turkey, there was even a technical term, they were called “buildings of the night.” But it’s easy to attribute the disaster to that alone. The magnitude of the earthquake was so monstrous that even the best structures or the best rules could not cope with it. Its biggest feature was the extremely long duration of strong oscillations (about 60 seconds). This implies a very large number of load cycles on structural elements already damaged by the first strong vibration. As a result, the residual strength of buildings is rapidly declining, while in the spirit of the regulation, the required strength is understood after only three full cycles.

The earthquake struck the poor fellow. The richest live in more well-maintained houses, in better buildings. Poor in buildings with poor design and construction that are not maintained.

– It is more difficult there, because they have neither the organization nor the economic power, like the Turks. Nor, of course, the important scientific knowledge and organization they possess to deal with seismic phenomena.

– What I saw on TV from Turkey was what we call “typical”: the first floor is destroyed, and then the rest of the building lurches and falls. The same thing happened in Skopje many years ago, they were destroyed from the first floors. For example, a box with wooden legs.

The earthquake struck the poor fellow. The richest live in more well-maintained houses, in better buildings. Poor in buildings with poor design and construction that are not maintained. This is true everywhere. And in Athens, too many apartment buildings in central areas have severe corrosion of fittings in basements due to humidity. These damages further reduce their seismic resistance, which is not controlled anywhere, neither by the state, nor even by citizens. It’s like buying a car and driving it for 30 years without going into a garage. Our perception of buildings as technical goods is complex.

– I have an understanding of Istanbul, because I am an honorary member of the Turkish ICOMOS, I used to cooperate with Turkish universities. A few years ago, I participated in a meeting with UNESCO on scenarios for the activation of the northern Anatolian fault near Istanbul. It was about half a million victims. It is a tragedy what could happen to the technical data of the old days – one would like to hope that in the meantime the “structures of the night” will be demolished.

My heart flutters seeing such indifference

– Allow me a personal remark… Me and my colleagues and the professors of the Polytechnic University also spat blood to convince them of the gradual changes in the anti-seismic regulations. The response has been great, even from our esteemed colleagues. That is why for a while we thought about turning to Europe to contribute to the formation of a common regulation, which Greece will then definitely apply. For this reason, Greek scientists played a very important role in shaping the anti-seismic rules of Europe, more important than the Italians. So we have great rules, but no maintenance. We build buildings and we leave them. If they rust, if pieces are removed along the way, if electricians and engineers come and cut out poles, if the first floor is used differently, all this is not controlled by anyone. But all this increases the vulnerability and risk of the building.

– In the 2000 census, we participated with the team of the National Program for Seismic Strengthening of Existing Structures (EPANTYK) TEE. We prepared lists of questions and took full advantage of the data we collected in collaboration with colleagues from the National Statistical Office and published a book that contains all the results of interest for anti-earthquake policy formulation for almost every city. . What the structure in each area was built from, whether the buildings were built of concrete, brick or stone, whether they had a pilot house or not, when they were built. After that, all of our material was handed over to OASP. Intervention rules (KANEPE) have been created and recently stone building rules (KADET) have been added. The completeness of the Greek rules is recognized in Europe.

– Do we have a rest due to the presence of an advanced anti-seismic frame?

– It’s like a fever. As soon as he passes us, we think we’re done. So it is with an earthquake. As soon as space moves away from the recent earthquake, we forget. But strong earthquakes in our country will not stop, either in 5 months, or in 15 years they will be repeated. That is why the anti-seismic policy should not stop for bridges, for hospitals, for school buildings, public buildings, churches, public places in general. Undoubtedly, action has been taken on all these issues in the past. But I’m pretty sure they’re not enough.

– Where is Greece most vulnerable in case of a strong earthquake?

– On networks and bridges. I don’t know what’s going on with hotels, the industry needs to take responsibility. Where serious steps have been taken is to strengthen the school buildings. There is a significant gap in private homes, the welfare state should come in and increase control and repair through a national program using the experience of OASP. My heart flutters at the sight of such indifference to real danger.

We absolutely must immediately increase the aid we are currently sending to Turkey. We have a place from our backlog. We must not let people suffer next to us. And let’s remember that in the long run, we are at the same risk – maybe not the same, because we don’t have the same big cracks. I hope that the opportunity will be given to make a headquarters decision with the consent of all parties, so that we can again deal with the seismic protection of our buildings.

Numbers

Help was offered by 13 EU member states and 370 rescuers.
3,000 homeless people found shelter in makeshift camps.
380,000 people live in schools and other public buildings.