Two heads are better than one
Ambrosio De Vera
29 Jan 2010
Re: McAdore Building issue
Engr. Flor Cuison was both right and wrong in the sense that he already judged the Mc Adore Hotel building as sturdy and strong for public use. Then he advised to get engineering experts to determine its safety features and make it useful, or condemn it.
Not all bulky and huge buildings are as strong as Engr. Cuison thought they would be. My suggestion, if I may, would be to seek collaboration of all city’s civil engineering schools, city engineering department and a group of civil/structural engineering practitioners in Dagupan. 
This is to lay the groundwork on how to approach the issue for subsequent referral to an engineering firm expert in building seismic retrofitting for an advice. Or better yet, put the expert in the loop in the get go.
The issue reminds me of my conversation with a talented practicing structural engineer a few years back. I asked him what code or code version the Phil was using. What was the criteria or basis used before to issue a “Structural Engineer” title to an individual? His response was “none” and that an individual would have to have a Master’s degree to claim the title of “Structural Engineer”.
Advanced countries study earthquake activities and its effect on their structures on a continued basis. Some jurisdictions even have life-size structures tested for seismic shakes and incorporate the outcome of the study to their building code. Building Code is updated 3 to 5 years and a city building ordinance is inserted every year.
I was also amazed the other night upon hearing the DPWH chief say that the Philippines is going to fare far better than Haiti in the event of a big earthquake. His one reason was that the steel the Philippines is using is stronger than the steel used in Haiti. It is partially true, because it is not only the strength of the steel the engineers are counting on. Engineers of advance countries are now using modern techniques of arranging and detailing steels to support their structures.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not in any way putting our talented engineers down when it comes to the issue at hand. As one of our local and pioneer engineers said, ” Two or more heads are better than one” and “No two engineers will ever come up with two identical designs.”
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