He states that heavy rainfall, changes in soil behavior, and variable geological conditions are being underestimated at the design stage, ultimately compromising the stability of the structures over time
SANTO DOMINGO.– The frequent collapse of bridges in the country is not, in most cases, due to traditional structural failures or construction errors, but to a deeper and less addressed factor: the incorrect consideration of geological conditions in the design of the works.
This was warned by civil engineer and geologist Luis Camil Caraballo, who pointed out that "the most contributing factor to these bridge collapses in the country is the conceptualization of geological parameters and coefficients when designing structures.".
His statements come in a recent context marked by the collapse of the bridge over the Camú River in Puerto Plata and the Las Cabuyas bridge in La Vega, events that draw attention to the state of road infrastructure in the Dominican Republic.
A flaw that stems from the design
According to the specialist, many of the collapses recorded in recent years have a different origin than commonly assumed. He explains that they are not due to deficiencies in the materials or errors in traditional structural calculations.
“They don’t fail due to a construction defect, they don’t fail due to poor mechanical conceptualization; they fail because they cannot counteract the effects of nature,” he stated.
In that regard, he indicated that factors such as heavy rains, changes in soil behavior, and variable geological conditions are being underestimated in the design stage, which ends up compromising the stability of the works over time.
He even recalled previous cases such as the collapse of the overpass at the intersection of 27 de Febrero Avenue and Máximo Gómez Avenue, and another in Santiago, where, he explained, the causes were more linked to the geological environment than to structural failures themselves.
Infrastructure designed for the short term
Beyond the technical aspects, the engineer introduced a critical element into his analysis: the logic under which many public works are built in the country.
“Governments build projects for 10, 8, or 15 years, to solve the problem during the re-election period,” he said, while warning that this short-term vision ends up generating bigger problems in the future.
As he explained, this practice usually translates into cost reduction during execution, which in many cases involves leaving aside more in-depth studies on the soil and environmental conditions.
“They disregard geological forces in order to cut costs for the project, which is clearly going to fail in these times when the environment is becoming more and more challenging every year,” he added.
Maintenance or design?
In response to the public debate about the lack of maintenance, the specialist was emphatic in establishing a key difference.
“Maintenance plays a role, but any structure that collapses in less than 30 years definitely did not collapse due to maintenance issues,” he argued.
This statement puts the focus back on the initial phase of projects, where, in his opinion, crucial decisions are made that determine the lifespan of the infrastructure.
A weakness beyond engineering
The engineer's analysis also points to a broader structural problem, related to academic training and professional approach in the country.
“More than a weakness in the supervisory system, there is an immense social weakness in the theoretical conceptualization of all branches of scientific application,” he stated.
In his opinion, this deficiency is not limited to engineering, but encompasses multiple disciplines, demonstrating a lack of emphasis on theoretical knowledge and the scientific basis that underpins professional practice.
More bridges at risk
The situation, far from being isolated, could worsen in the coming years.
“I believe there are many more bridges in danger right now,” he warned, noting that weather patterns and increased rainfall are intensifying the conditions affecting these structures.
“The environment is becoming more aggressive every year that passes,” he said, suggesting that current patterns could continue to put pressure on existing infrastructure.
The gap between engineers
Finally, the specialist drew attention to a division within the sector itself: the lack of integration between structural engineers and soil experts.
“Today there is a huge dichotomy between structural engineers and soil engineers,” he explained.
To illustrate this, he compared this situation to the field of medicine, where collaboration between specialists is fundamental.
“If a surgeon needs an anesthesiologist to operate on a patient, why does a civil engineer find it difficult to consider geological and soil parameters for their structures?” he questioned.
Sanctions and control
As a measure to prevent these events from continuing, the engineer raised the need to strengthen the role of professional associations.
In his opinion, stricter sanctions are required, including fines and the suspension of licenses, as mechanisms to guarantee compliance with adequate standards in the design and execution of works.
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