{"id":17195,"date":"2026-07-23T15:21:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T13:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jansametal.com\/would-your-building-withstand-an-earthquake-what-venezuela-reminds-us-about-steel-structures-in-spain\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T14:30:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T12:30:17","slug":"would-your-building-withstand-an-earthquake-what-venezuela-reminds-us-about-steel-structures-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jansametal.com\/en\/would-your-building-withstand-an-earthquake-what-venezuela-reminds-us-about-steel-structures-in-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"Would Your Building Withstand an Earthquake? What Venezuela Reminds Us About Steel Structures in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Happened in Venezuela and Why It Affects Us<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On June 24, 2026, Venezuela experienced an exceptional double earthquake: a first earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, followed just seconds later by a second earthquake measuring 7.5, both with their epicenters in the state of Yaracuy. Satellite imagery and initial damage assessments indicate that tens of thousands of buildings were affected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, from an engineering standpoint, magnitude alone does not explain the extent of the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initial technical assessments point to factors that have been known for decades in seismic engineering:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Buildings without modern seismic standards<\/strong>: Much of the existing building stock was designed and constructed under outdated codes or with structural details that would not be considered adequate for seismic zones today.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Open-plan ground floors or \u201csoft floors<\/strong>\u201d: Many of the damaged buildings feature the classic configuration of an open garage or commercial space at the base, which drastically reduces the stiffness of the lower level. When this structural irregularity occurs, the risk of localized deformation and collapse increases significantly. <\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Problems with Implementation and Regulatory Enforcement<\/strong>: International experience shows that having seismic regulations does not always guarantee that all existing or newly constructed buildings will meet the intended safety standards. And this is precisely where an important issue for Spain arises. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Debunking the Myth: Spain Is, in Fact, an Earthquake-Prone Area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is a perception that major earthquakes are a problem exclusive to Japan, California, or Latin America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reality is different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain has a specific standard for earthquake-resistant construction, NCSE-02<\/strong>, which was approved by Royal Decree 997\/2002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its application depends on various factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Basic seismic acceleration.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Use of the building.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Structural typology.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Building height.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The areas with the highest seismic risk are mainly concentrated in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Granada.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>M\u00e1laga.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Almer\u00eda.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Murcia.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Alicante.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>From Huelva.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

However, there are also areas subject to seismic requirements in regions such as Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Navarre, and the Pyrenees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words: earthquake-resistant design is not an issue exclusive to southern Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the 2011 Lorca earthquake highlighted the need to continue updating the regulations and gradually align them with the most advanced criteria of Eurocode 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Japan Teaches Us About Earthquake-Resistant Construction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to seismic engineering, Japan remains the global benchmark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it is interesting to note that the evolution of Japanese engineering has not consisted solely of building stronger structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current goal is much more ambitious: to prevent the energy from the earthquake from reaching the structure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three main strategies currently in use are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taishin: Withstanding the Earthquake<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The structure withstands seismic forces through structural members specifically designed for that purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seishin: to dispel energy<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The building incorporates dampers and energy dissipators that absorb some of the energy generated by the earthquake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Menshin: Seismic Isolation<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The structure is physically decoupled from the ground by special isolators installed at the base, drastically reducing the accelerations transmitted to the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lesson is clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The countries most advanced in seismic engineering have moved beyond the traditional concept of \u201cwithstanding an earthquake\u201d toward systems capable of dissipating energy or isolating the building from ground motion. In this context, the high ductility and light weight of steel structures make them one of the most effective solutions for modern seismic-resistant design. <\/div>