Regnum News Agency
The whole territory of Armenia is the highest hazard zone – the eathquaking occurring in Armenia may reach 8-11 points. According to Ruben Yadoyan, Head of Hydroecology of Institute of Geology of National Academy of Sciences, frequently 30-year-old data or even the data of the neighboring buildings are taken as a basis for drawing up seismic maps required for the construction of each building. If to take into consideration that there are many empty places under the center of Yerevan, this unconcern of the site developers may turn up into very expensive one, moreover, the downfall of soil may occur even without any quake.
According to the opposition “Alliance” party member Lilit Galstyan, the city center has turned up in the most unfavourable condition. Besides violations of construction standards and neglect of needed examinations, there another problem: in the post-soviet years the upper floors of many buildings were unsystematically built on, and this extremely unfavorably impacts on the fundament and many fundaments need strengthening.
June 16, 2011 at 12:09