Slovenia is seismically vulnerable country threatened by the earthquakes up to to VII. grade on the EMS scale. In case of a major earthquake occurs, departments for rescue and protection have to normalise the situation as soon as possible. In addition to other measures, it is important that the largest possible number of objects become functional as soon as possible. Temporary support of the damaged structures is the first activity that ensures their stability. The buildings without major structural damage, if temporarily supported, re-gain their functionality immediately after the support is carried out. Temporary support also ensures that the severely damaged buildings do not collapse in uncontrolled manner that may pose severe risks to human lives.
The Italian system of support has been repeatedly successfully tested and was also used during the last big earthquake in the Italian region of Abruzzo. The system provides uniform, ready-to-use solutions for the prevention of various collapse mechanisms, that are also mathematically justified and verified. They are prepared in the form of tables and offer simple procedures to obtain appropriate and reliable solutions. These solutions offer a simple planning tool that greatly simplifies the purchase of materials for the refurbishment, because a very narrow range of different materials is used. It offers clear instructions to contractors, with all the details for the implementation of support on the site. Appropriate use of such system ensures that supported objects "survive" earthquake aftershocks.
Organisation and management are also important, in addition to the on-site optimisation of the implementation. In the event of an earthquake, the Italian management model foresees a special department directly subordinated to the main headquarters, responsible for the support design and for the consulting during refurbishment. Further, centers supplying the materials are organized on-site in order to provide raw materials and tools.
The introduction of the described support system within Slovenian system of protection and rescue services would could increase the effectiveness of the services described, and intervention support would be carried out faster and more reliably.
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