Civil engineers play vital role in disaster recovery

MANILA, Philippines - There’s a saying that “when you want to build something, call a civil engineer.”

Not many people know, however, that civil engineers can go beyond simply building structures. In fact, they play a crucial role in terms of helping in the relief recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the wake of the disasters like Typhoon Yolanda that affected Leyte, Samar and Cebu, as well as the Bohol earthquake.

These civil engineers are volunteers from the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) and the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), an affiliate society of PICE. 

The mobilization of these volunteers is facilitated through the Earthquake Quick Response Program (EQRP) of the PICE and ASEP, in partnership with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

What functions do EQRP volunteers play in the aftermath of an earthquake? They are mobilized during the three phases of emergency: the pre-emergency phase; emergency phase; and post-emergency phase.

The first phase is about preventing widespread and potentially fatal damage to structures when an earthquake strikes. To accomplish this, EQRP volunteers do an inventory of masonry, reinforced concrete, and steel buildings to include their historical background (for example, date of construction and location). This inventory targets structures that are deemed vulnerable to earthquakes.

EQRP volunteers are always improving and honing their technical skills in rapid evaluation of earthquake-affected structures. In the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, EQRP teams are fielded in affected areas to assist by doing a rapid assessment of earthquake damage and recommend levels of occupancy status.

They assess damaged structures and do a quick evaluation of their structural integrity. They assess the vulnerability of buildings and vital structures like schools, hospitals, houses and residential buildings, and business establishments.

When the emergency has passed, EQRP teams recommend measures for evaluating buildings and structures previously identified as “restricted” or “off-limits.”

The EQRP teams also give technical assistance on how to go about partially demolishing portions of a building where people may be trapped, so that they may be rescued. The team works with and assists national and local DRRMC officials and personnel, and humanitarian teams in the disaster-hit areas.

They are also tasked to assess the state of the surrounding environment for possible hazards resulting from earthquakes. This includes the possible instability of the ground after a disaster, like settling or sinking of the soil, lateral spreading or liquefaction of the soil.

The EQRP teams play a vital role in preventing loss of life that may happen when people don’t leave abandoned weakened and damaged structures. They also submit various reports and documentations related to the inventory of structures, and the extent of damage.

Their technical expertise is also helpful in recommending measures to take in repairing structures during the recovery period. In a disaster-prone country like the Philippines, civil engineers play a vital role in risk reduction and recovery.