Earthquake in Morocco: “The problem is not the adobe houses, but the magnitude of the earthquake”

In the images that emerged after the earthquake, it is seen that the cities are in ruins. Areas where there is hardly a single building left standing. Initially this destruction was almost automatically attributed to: Construction Materials mostly adobe is used, but as mentioned Montserrat BoschTechnical architect and professor of the UPC at the Escola Politècnica Superior d’Edificació de Barcelona (EPSEB) said, “the problem is only Adobe However size from the earthquake”.

Morocco earthquake attracted attention 6.8 on the Richter scale and VII on the Mercalli scale. This rating means “negligible damage to structures of good design and construction, light to moderate damage to ordinary well-built structures, and significant damage to poorly constructed structures.”

Although seismic regulations have been in place in Morocco since 2001, the majority, if not all, of previously constructed buildings do not comply with them. “The majority of Moroccan citizens build their homes with common sense and self-construction. build with concreteIf the provisions of the regulation are not complied with, the material alone will not provide safety. Warranties are given based on multiple factors and the suitability of the warranty. techniques “He was building it,” he says.

Seismic resistant material

“We are concerned about this” stigma because this is the only construction these people can afford. In fact, it is also confirmed in the tables. laboratory test In Peru and Italy, this land is combined with specific fortification strategies. earthquake resistantor at least reduces the fragility of constructions,” says Bosch, adding: “The pressures to include concrete and build with it are generally economic.”

“It is a lie to say that if the houses were concrete, they would not collapse. We also have an example.” Lorca (Murcia)“A much smaller earthquake ended everything,” he points out. Bosch reminds that the 5.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Lorca in 2011 caused nine deaths and hundreds of injuries, and almost 1,800 houses had to be demolished. The earthquake in Morocco, It exceeded the earthquake in Morocco. It increased its intensity by almost two degrees. “The earthquake was so strong that devastating That everything that was built was destroyed. Construction in Atlas was traditionally made of mud brick, but the epicenter Tetuan“Where there is more European architecture, the material damage would also be quite large,” says the technical architect.

old techniques

Therefore this type of ancient architecture maghrebBased on techniques and materials that allow the needs of its inhabitants to be met in a sustainable way, even from a seismic perspective, the building “does not collapse because it is built with traditional materials in the same way as modern architecture” It is not a guarantee of seismic resistance against earthquakes of this magnitude.“says the expert.

Restructuring now opens a scenario between regulations and citizens’ economic possibilities. “When people go to rebuild their homes, they will most likely opt for self-construction. Adobe is cheaper and more abundant for Moroccans. Concrete has to be imported, which entails a high cost,” he says. “We defended a thesis on earthen structures in Chile, and there are systems that citizens can make themselves with chicken wire and other common materials that protect the building against standard earthquakes,” says Bosch.