Earthquake: Emergency to Test New Buildings

The earthquake that struck our country two days ago is a major natural disaster, a tragedy that claimed many lives and did great material damage. Two months ago, in September, there were severe earthquake shocks, major material damage, population panic. They were told that all injuries would be verified, they would be repaired, and people would resume normal life intact. The quake two days ago demonstrated that nothing had been done or little.

The damage to buildings, the cracks that plague the walls of homes by earthquakes, are not just the obvious ones. The unseen, hidden in the depths of the walls, from the very foundations of the walls, are much more dangerous. A second earthquake, after a previous one has prepared them through apparent injuries and cracks, tears down buildings. Today, there are technologies, specific equipment, and specialised people who are familiar with those technologies, who use specific devices, and know how to interpret the data taken from these technologies. Sysmology experts, professors in this area, although few in number, construction engineering professors recognize the existence and use of those technologies. They need to be asked about everything. This mechanism had to be set in motion right from September. I remember the president of the Republic raised the case and asked for this mechanism to be moved. What was not done then must be urgent now, without wasting any time.

I'm basically talking about using radiation techniques through so-called Non-Inference Tests ( Non-Destrutive Testing BUT. These techniques and technologies are used during construction of buildings, bridges, water pipelines, etc., and they significantly minimize the damage that can be caused by natural disasters and save lives. There are numerous uses of this (NDT) technology regarding the management of such natural disasters.

The International Nuclear Energy Agency is the unique international organisation specialising for radiation leaks. It has helped governments and different countries to use these technologys that make an assessment of the integrity of structures, buildings, and so on. Those technologies have been used, for example, after earthquakes in Mexico, Nepal, Ecuador, and so on. In the first months of this year, the Nuclear Agency sent equipment to the NDT and Ecuador following strong earthquakes that fell there. These equipment will help open a regional centre in Mexico to provide emergency assistance in case of natural disaster that could hit Latin America.

The most commonly used technique is industrial X-rays that use gamma waves, x and neutrons to test the integrity of civil structures by not causing them any damage. Experts point out that they are used before earthquakes to prevent possible earthquake collapses, during earthquakes caused by an earthquake to assess the extent of damage and use of damaged buildings, and after the earthquake in the design of restructuring interventions. Experts also suggest that regular control of the quality of buildings with NDT techniques, throughout their lives, including during construction, helps prevent unexpected collapses.

When such natural disasters occur, historical centres, quality/palate buildings where people live, homes, public buildings, water distribution networks, etc. Although some structures may stand in the wake of an earthquake, they may have taken on crack or outs that could burden other major risks if they are not discovered early, over time and if they are not quickly repaired. With the naked eye, without specialized cameras and technology, from well - trained people without expertise, this cannot be done properly and completely. The use of this technology (Teste NDT) is critical enough to detect hidden shortcomings in buildings and provide support to repair them properly.

The Nuclear Agency, under a number of technical co-operation projects, trains professionals in this field, also offers equipment. It currently helps build networks, such as in Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, to exchange experiences, expertise and equipment when such disasters occur.

The establishment and possession of strong national emergency capacities, including those of NDT use, as well as regional co-operation, can significantly improve the sustainability of civilian structures affected by the earthquake or other natural disasters. These techniques help to locate and address the consequences and to support with precise information the repair of the consequences. Nuclear techniques can play a crucial role in preventing natural disasters and managing them.

Albania has been a member of the ISA since its founding 63 years ago. Albania has the right to seek urgent, specialised assistance for tests NDT from the Nuclear Agency in this case of emergency and major natural disasters and national tragedies caused by two major earthquakes in succession. The extraordinary national solidarity of our people in these days of great disaster, as well as international specialization, must be followed urgently by wise, professional steps by the state, to address emergency, as it should, with modern technologies and tools, the consequences of this vicious earthquake. The odds are, all of them should be used.

*is RSH ambassador near the International Berthamor Energy Agency and former Special Assistant for the General Director of this agency