Kabashi: New buildings in Kosovo can withstand an earthquake of 8 degrees on the Richter scale

The current buildings in Kosovo, according to the professor of the Faculty of Construction and Architecture at the University "Hasan Prishtina, Naser Kabashi, meet the regional conditions, which means that they can largely withstand an earthquake of 8 degrees on the Richter scale.

Kabashi, in the interview for "E Diela me Kohë Ditore", said that construction companies are obliged to respect the "Eurocode 8" target, which is a European standard. He said that regional seismic maps are used during construction.

However, he said that there are some shortcomings, which must be eliminated. The lack of adequate supervision by construction engineers, but also by inspectors, according to Kabashi, is a concern in itself. As he said, the problem remains the small number of inspectors, but also of persons who are professionals in this field within the Inspectorate.

Another concern, according to him, is the geomechanical testing or examination, which means testing the foundation where the facility will be placed. Kabashi said that even at this point there is a deadlock.

KD: How prepared is Kosovo in terms of infrastructure and urban planning to withstand earthquakes?

Kabashi: In principle, it is very appropriate to ask anyone for details about infrastructural preparations, but I would also add the legislative ones, necessary for the construction of buildings, which in time can withstand eventual earthquakes. Or better to say "behave well in earthquakes".

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In general terms, since the year 2000, we have introduced "eurocodes" or "design codes" into our plans, which enable us to correctly dimension an object, including its behavior to earthquake actions.

As for the information of the opinion, one of the points or the target is "Eurocode 8", which makes calculations from earthquakes or the intensity of earthquakes up to 8 degrees of Richter. So, according to this, the dimensioning is done and with this we close the legislative side....(Read more in Koha Ditore)