Lessons learned from an earthquake resilience perspective: Damage and regulations in Syria, earthquake of February 6, 2023

SOCIAL SEISMIC VULNERABILITY

Abstract

On February 6, 2023, Turkey and Syria experienced two severe seismic events, prompting the intervention of engineers William Ascanio and Mario Rendón, from the Earthquake Engineering Department of Funvisis, who were part of the Simón Bolívar Humanitarian Rescue Task Force. Their work included conducting post-seismic inspections of affected buildings, with the aim of assessing the damage from an earthquake-resistant perspective. In Syria, only 10 structures were assessed due to access restrictions imposed for safety reasons and the persistence of aftershocks. The results of field inspections determined that the main cause of the collapse and damage observed as a result of the seismic events that shook the region was due to deficiencies
in the construction work, which did not meet the design specifications stipulated in earthquake-resistant codes or regulations, limited or no supervision by the competent authorities or agencies during construction, the use of inappropriate materials, and the lack of a risk management plan adapted to the seismic hazards characteristic of the region, as well as a rehabilitation program for essential buildings. This is because, based on experience with previous events, the high vulnerability of older buildings is well known in a territory with the highest seismic hazards on the planet.