EARTHQUAKE PROTECTION IN EUROPE: PRESENTATION AT INFORMATION MEETING, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT FEB 28 th 2007 Robin Spence Professor, Cambridge University Vice-President, European Association for Earthquake Engineering
The European Association for Earthquake Engineering Founded in 1965 Now 33 member countries Aims to promote cooperation and interaction between earthquake researchers and earthquake engineers to support earthquake research and education to play an active role in earthquake mitigation in Europe
EAEE s Earthquake Protection Policy Statement: Summary 1. Potentially destructive earthquakes occur regularly in Europe. 2. Buildings and facilities constructed to today s codes are unlikely to be heavily damaged by expected earthquakes. 3. Most of the built environment was created before these codes were formulated and enforced 4. Many buildings and facilities (which include schools, hospitals, and highway structures) are unsafe by today s standards. 5. Many historic centres of huge cultural importance are at risk. 6. The technical means to substantially reduce this risk are now available. 7. The EAEE considers it unacceptable that European citizens are daily exposed to major risks to their life which are well-understood and avoidable. 8. EAEE calls on the EC and the European Parliament to help create an earthquake-safe environment for all European citizens
Potentially destructive earthquakes occur regularly in Europe Seismic Hazard Map
Potentially destructive earthquakes occur regularly in Europe.. 17.8.1999 Kocaeli, Turkey: 17,000 deaths 31.10.02 Italy, San Giuliano di Puglia collapsed school - 27 deaths 1.5.03 Turkey, Bingöl - collapsed school - > 100 deaths 21.5.03 Algeria, Boumerdes - >2200 deaths collapsed hospital
Destructive earthquakes in Europe: a comparison of 20 th century death rates by country Country Number of fatal events in 20C Total deaths Deaths per year per 2001 million of population Italy 45 128000 22.2 Turkey 111 99000 15.0 Greece 50 6600 6.2 Former USSR 45 78000 3.2 Algeria 22 5300 1.7 Cyprus 4 94 1.2 Romania 3 2600 1.2 Former Yugoslavia 17 2000 0.9 Italy and Turkey remain in the top 10 earthquake risk countries since 1980 Risk of death in Italy is over 10 times that in USA or Japan
Many existing buildings and facilities are unsafe by today s standards Building types most at risk are: old unreinforced masonry buildings AND reinforced concrete framed buildings built without seismic design requirements Many public buildings, including schools, hospitals and highway structures are built of these materials
The historic centres of several major European cities are at risk Lisbon Istanbul Catania Barcelona
Strengthening techniques are available and have been tested and applied. For reinforced concrete structures For masonry structures But most strengthening work has occurred immediately after damaging earthquakes, and is limited to the area affected.
Evaluation and upgrading action has begun in some European Countries. Greece Romania Azores, Portugal Italy But it is not backed by legislation in any country requiring existing buildings to be strengthened
Experience in other earthquake-prone countries is that only when legislation exists does general action take place New Zealand masonry Mexico City frame building California hospitals
Conclusions There still exists in many parts of Europe a dangerously high level of risk of a high-casualty disaster from earthquakes. We know where the risk is highest and which types of buildings are most vulnerable. There are national activities and programmes in several European countries directed towards identifying high-risk buildings and reducing their numbers over time But the experience of other countries suggests that little will be achieved without legislation; this is an opportunity for the European Parliament. The legislation needs to be backed up by technical and financial support.
Thank you for your attention and future support. We vote for Earthquake Safety