Conference stressed communication

Press, 7 September 1976, Page 12

Conference stressed communication

Wellington Reporter. Four main resolutions were adopted at a recent conference on earthquakes held by U.N.E.S.C.O. in Paris. There were:— 1. The development of international and regional co-operation on the delimitation of seismic zones, and the assessment of earthquake risks within . these zones; 2. The improvement of scientific bases of earthquake predictions and the evaluation of the human, social and economic implications of such predictions; 3. The development of practical methods of earthquake-resistant construction and of nonengineered housing, using local materials; 4. The evaluation of the various factors which determine economic losses during earthquakes, and the development of a conceptual framework for studies on earthquake insurance problems. “The conference tried to bring together the science , engineering and social science disciplines,” said the Ministry of Works’ chief structural engineer (Mr O. A. Glogau), who was New Zealand’s representative at the conference. “One of the essential issues in the assessment and mitigation of earthquake risk is the need for progress from theory to practice in the application of earthquake-resistant design,” Mr Grogau said. "There is a lack of communication between the elite of highly-trained

engineers, who understand and apply anti-seismic techniques, and the bulk of designers and builders.” The conference decided that U.N.E.S.C.O. should continue to promote research and training on earthquake problems. "Several delegates emphasised the need for changes in the design of private houses, and research is required on suitable reinforcement techniques,” Mr Grogau said. Among the problems hindering .the progress of research on risk assessment was the frequent failure of governments to give adequate recognition to seismological research, shortage of research funds, and lack of encouragement to seismology students. Questions were raised of how to define acceptable risk levels, and who is responsible for establishing these levels,” Mr Grogau said. "It was suggested that better standards in earth-quake-resistant design might be achieved if insurance companies charged more realistic premiums. “Measures are also necessary to protect historical monuments from earthquake damage,” he said. Two working groups are being set up to study and report on the definition of seismic intensity and the content and form of seismic zoning and risk maps, and on the statistical study of earthquake damage and its economic effects. i An international sym-

posium on the scientific, technical and social aspects of earthquake prediction is to be held, and a survey will be made of the methods and techniques developed in various countries for the construction of earthquake-re-sistent low-cost housing using local materials, and for the repair and strengthening of existing structures.