The initiative brought together students, teachers, and experts to analyze seismic threats in the Dominican Republic, the structural conditions of buildings, and the importance of technical assessments to prevent risks
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic– The Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU), through its School of Civil Engineering, in coordination with the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (Onesvie), held the discussion "Voices that Prevent: Understanding Seismic Risk," with the purpose of strengthening knowledge about prevention and structural safety among engineering and architecture students.
The day provided an opportunity to address the main seismic risks facing the Dominican territory, as well as the factors that affect the vulnerability of buildings and the technical actions that can help reduce the damage caused by earthquakes.
The meeting was also part of the commemorative activities for the 60th anniversary of UNPHU and was attended by students, teachers and professionals related to the areas of engineering and construction.
They emphasize the responsibility of engineers in earthquake prevention
During the opening remarks, the director of the School of Civil Engineering at UNPHU, engineer María Cristina Sánchez, stated that engineering professionals play an essential role in the planning, design, and construction of strong and safe infrastructure.
In that regard, he stated that prevention should be incorporated from the early stages of each project, taking into consideration specialized knowledge, compliance with technical standards, and decisions that may influence the stability and resistance of structures.
He also highlighted the importance of promoting a culture of professional responsibility aimed at protecting people's lives and ensuring better safety conditions in buildings.
Onesvie highlights the importance of evaluating existing structures
For his part, the general director of Onesvie, engineer Leonardo de Jesús Reyes Madera, expressed the need to pay special attention to the buildings constructed in the country, particularly those built before the incorporation of the first seismic regulation criteria.
The official stated that future engineers and architects must assume structural evaluation as a fundamental responsibility of their professional practice, due to the implications their decisions have on the safety of those who occupy these spaces.
He also noted that specialized technical inspections make it possible to detect possible deficiencies, identify conditions of vulnerability and establish the intervention measures required for each property, according to its characteristics and structural condition.
Reyes Madera urged the students to strengthen their preparation in this area and understand that prevention is an essential element in reducing the risks associated with seismic activity.
They explain the main seismic threats in the Dominican territory
The main conference was led by engineer Fausto Estévez, who spoke about the geological and seismic characteristics of the Dominican Republic, the main geological faults and the factors that determine the response of buildings to an earthquake.
During his speech, he explained that the effects of an earthquake can vary depending on soil conditions, structural design characteristics, and the state of conservation of buildings.
He also indicated that these phenomena can generate landslides, soil liquefaction, damage to structural elements and even the collapse of buildings, depending on the magnitude of the event and the particular conditions of each area.
Estévez stated that knowledge of these threats is fundamental to understanding their possible consequences and developing preventive strategies in accordance with the existing risks.
Technical assessments contribute to reducing the vulnerability of buildings
Another topic addressed during the discussion was the importance of seismic vulnerability studies as tools to determine the safety conditions of buildings and infrastructure.
In that context, it was explained that these assessments allow for the identification of structural deficiencies and the collection of specialized information to determine whether a building needs reinforcement, rehabilitation, or other measures aimed at improving its performance in the event of an earthquake.
Participants also highlighted the need to examine the particular characteristics of existing buildings and apply appropriate technical criteria to contribute to risk reduction.
Specialized assessments also represent an important resource for guiding decisions related to the maintenance, suitability and safety of infrastructures, taking into account the protection of the people who use them.
They promote training in earthquake prevention
The discussion provided a space for the exchange of knowledge and experiences on the challenges facing the Dominican Republic in terms of structural safety and disaster prevention related to earthquakes.
Similarly, it allowed for emphasizing the role played by engineering and architecture professionals in the construction of safe infrastructure, the evaluation of existing structures, and the timely identification of potential vulnerabilities.
With this initiative, UNPHU and Onesvie reaffirmed the importance of promoting academic training, technical guidance, and awareness of seismic risks, with the aim of fostering responsible practices that contribute to protecting lives and reducing damage in the event of future earthquakes.
