Tests conducted by the CTBA—which replicated seismic loads and stresses—made it possible to optimize the design of crush-resistant structures to protect beds, which would thereby become survival spaces in the event of a building collapse. Building on these results, Emanuel Marie-Luce expanded his proposal to include the development of crush-resistant cribs and cabinets.
As a result, the protection could extend to a broader population, beyond just those who are bedridden or have limited mobility. These crush-resistant pieces of furniture are equipped with devices designed to assist rescue teams and optimize survival conditions (GPS trackers, radios, whistles, first-aid kits, water supplies, etc.).
Mr. Marie-Luce, with the assistance of emergency architect Serge Gunot, then took it a step further by extrapolating the initial results to propose a crush-resistant structure capable of protecting an entire room.
By applying this technical process designed to create ‘Sékirit’li containment units,’ we also enable the small apartment buildings and numerous ’townhouses’ that make up our historic downtown areas—and are open to the public—to play their part in mitigating risk.
Indeed, while seismic design can make it possible to construct new buildings capable of saving lives, we cannot imagine rebuilding all existing structures in Martinique—particularly schools—which have been weakened by the successive earthquakes of recent years.
Thus, the solutions we advocate through the «Sékirit’li» concept open up a vast field of research to be explored and pursued.
How can we integrate containment structures and combine them with measures to reinforce the most vulnerable buildings—often self-built homes, particularly those built “on stilts”—while providing a safe refuge in the event of seismic risks, major hurricanes, and other such hazards?
Vulnerable housing units and listed and historic buildings open to the public represent an unprecedented market and would offer the opportunity to incorporate earthquake-resistant, crush-proof rooms.
As for the public housing units built in previous decades, aside from the addition of a quarantine room, they require, for example, extensive roof repairs. Such an initiative would give rise to a sector of trades and specialties that would generate numerous jobs. The crush-resistant structure provides a safety zone inside all these vulnerable homes and reduces the risk at a reasonable cost.
Building on its progress in addressing major risks, Martinique now has the opportunity to develop innovative solutions that would be of interest to the entire Caribbean region—and indeed to all countries facing the same hazards as we do.
The Example of the AMIOF Building
This small building, located in the historic center of Fort-de-France, is owned by an association that provides a public service to a population with relatively modest incomes. In the heart of a city that is gradually losing its population to shopping centers on the outskirts, it houses a business that is easily accessible to public transit users—the very people who keep the city alive.
AMIOF is considering rebuilding a portion of the building at the rear of the lot. This new section will, of course, comply with current seismic standards; however, in the event of an earthquake and an evacuation of the premises, occupants would be forced to pass through the older section, whose stability cannot be guaranteed. Given the density of the urban fabric, the constraints of shared walls, and, above all, the limited budget available, it is impossible to carry out seismic retrofitting of the entire structure.
In this case, installing an anti-crush structure on the ground floor protects the only access point by converting the reception area into a ‘containment room.’.
This structure can be constructed using one of two methods: either by assembling steel tubes, similar to the anti-crush bed solution, or by assembling rigid, self-supporting panels.
In the first case, the architectural character can be preserved, which would be better suited to the heritage value of our old Creole buildings, creating relatively open and permeable living spaces.
In the second case Although more cost-effective, installing these panels requires a rethinking of ‘interior design’ to better suit the creation of true isolation rooms when space allows, or by using areas that are more ’enclosed’ by their very nature (such as server rooms, for example).
The example of the annex to the Prêcheur Rectory
As part of the experimental redevelopment initiative for the town center of Le Prêcheur, the municipality is considering using the ground floor of the rectory annex to house the project management team in charge of the project. This space would serve as a ‘workshop’—a place for exhibitions, meetings, and interaction with the public.
The building in question consists of a reinforced concrete load-bearing structure with masonry infill and features a wooden floor on the first story. The wooden roof frame supports a tile roof.
A technical assessment was conducted on September 3, 2018. The investigation focused on the building’s condition but did not address its seismic resistance, due to the lack of structural construction drawings and the absence of destructive testing.
Therefore, only facade restoration and other work on certain types of steel is recommended.
Caraïb-Securit, the company that owns the Sékirit’li brand, proposes to equip the large room on the ground floor with a prototype crush-resistant structure as part of this pilot project.
This structure will be a hybrid design (self-supporting panels and tubular framework), given the numerous openings in the room, which will have a usable area of 35.48 m². The ceiling will consist of PROMISOL .T ribbed panels, which are used for dry-construction floors.
Contents of the emergency kit: first-aid kit, GPS, beacons, radios, small supplies, bottled water, etc.
This non-exhaustive list will be refined in consultation with companies that specialize in the production of survival kits, based on the expected number of people in the room.
