Published:
US Structural Engineers Depart for China: 22,000 Dead From Sichuan Earthquake
US Structural Engineers Depart for China: 22,000 Dead From Sichuan Earthquake
SICHUAN, China, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- An earthquake measuring a moment
magnitude of 7.9 struckWestern China on Monday leaving an estimated 22,000
people dead and thousands more injured. In response, Miyamoto International
has dispatched a team of earthquake engineers toChina in an effort to assess
the structural integrity of existing buildings and infrastructure, collect
data, and provide support to clients on damage assessment, loss estimation,
and recommendations to mitigate further business interruption.
The quake struck at 2:28 pm local time leaving thousands of children and
workers trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The full extent of damage caused
by this quake is currently unknown. A reported 80% of buildings in and around
the epicenter have experienced significant failures and/or complete collapse.
Tom Chan, Vice President of Miyamoto International said, "Due to the extensive
use of unreinforced masonry and nonductile concrete construction in this
region, heavy damage is wide spread. Added to this is the concentration of
population and structures along large rivers where liquefaction is a
significant problem. That's why damage is occurring as far away as
Chongqing -- 220 miles away."
Miyamoto International will be sending a team to the affected area. Kit
Miyamoto, CEO, will be leading the reconnaissance effort and arriving inChina
today. "The casualty and injury toll is intense and rescue operations are the
top priority, but we also need to identify the effect the quake has had and
will continue to have on the local and national economy. The implication of
this event is significant; an event like this could happen in the United
State's Midwest," says Kit.
Miyamoto International provides structural, earthquake and wind
engineering services related to the design and strengthening of buildings.
Projects sectors include: seismic evaluation and retrofit, education,
commercial, civic, corporate, healthcare, and infrastructure. With five
offices inCalifornia, one in the Portland-Vancouver Area and one inTokyo,
Japan, Miyamoto International is one of the largest and fastest growing
structural engineering firms.
For more information contact Heather Landrum with Miyamoto International,
Inc. at 916-373-1995. Reference website: http://www.miyamotointernational.com.
SOURCE Miyamoto International
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Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze,
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