Kyrgyzstan, like other Central Asian states, is located in a seismically active zone. Consequently, current building codes, the main provisions of which were introduced in 2018, need to be updated.
Causes of destruction and new challenges
According to Ulugbek Begaliev, President of the International Association of Experts in Seismic-Resistant Construction and Rector of the International University of Innovative Technologies, the primary causes of building collapses during strong earthquakes are structural flaws. These include weak columns, insufficient strength of load-bearing elements, and the presence of soft first floors with large open spaces.
Rise in building heights
The development of the construction industry in the region is leading to the emergence of super-tall structures, which require a special approach to engineering-geological surveys and safety assessments. Projects of significant height are already being implemented in neighboring countries:
Such scales of construction dictate the need to move to the next stage of revising building standards to ensure citizen safety.
