Grief in Rubble (Deadly Engineering Shortcuts)

A report from the NYTimes.com caught my attention on "Chinese Are Left to Ask Why Schools Fell" published on May 25, 2008.UNEQUAL DAMAGE. Xinjian Primary School in Dujiangyan was destroyed,

while a kindergarten, at left, and a hotel were barely damaged.

This is a picture from the report, how the Xinjian Primary School turned into rubble. Have this been avoided if the school was constructed with the right materials (quantity and quality) and with the right construction methodologies? The answer is, certainly yes.

As qouted from the report, "Techniques for fortifying buildings to withstand earthquakes have been clearly understood for decades. Use high-quality concrete. Embed extra iron rods. Tie them tightly into bundles with strong wire. Ensure that components of floors, walls and columns are firmly attached. Pay special attention to columns, which are the key to having a building sway rather than topple."

Another excerpt, "The most pronounced failing at Xinjian seemed to be inadequate steel reinforcement of the concrete columns supporting the school, experts said. There were too few rebar reinforcing rods and too little of the thin binding wire that holds the rebar together. And, critically, the steel bindings attaching the concrete flooring slabs were inadequate."

How to help:
China Disaster Relief, China Earthquake Appeal if you are in Singapore, and your prayers.