VIVAnews - West Sumatra applies Japanese technology to heighten the structures of the ruined constructions after the 7.0 magnitude tremor shook the area in late September 2009.
West Sumatra Governor Marlis Rahman said the retrofitting construction technique is economical.
"The restructuring process of the ruined buildings will only need half of the expenses required to set up new buildings," Marlis Rahman told reporters on Wednesday, Feb 24.
The retrofitting technology will be applied in several public facilities such as hospitals and state offices.
"The technology is really applicable for earthquake-prone areas like West Sumatra," he said. In Japan, according to him, the technique is put into use in Kobe and Tashima.
He explained that the base of a building should be firstly dug up to make space for the installment of several supporting concretes at the base. The knot of round pollars at the base is covered by synthetic rubbers which may reduce shocks during earthquake.
The provincial government will in no time deploy a technical team to learn the technology to Japan.
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Coverage by: Eri Naldi | Padang
Translated by: Bonardo Maulana W
