PORAC, PAMPANGA—The use of “overstrong” reinforcing steel bars (rebars) caused the Chuzon Supermarket here to collapse during a 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Luzon on April 22, according to an engineer whose views were sought by the Inquirer. A mother, her two young children and two other women were killed, and nine employees of the supermarket were injured. AnnexesUnlike the results of the concrete strength tests that were stated and explained in the main report, the rebar test results were buried in annexes and went without explanations. Morales said the “very erratic test results” were uncharacteristic of a microalloyed (MA) steel bar. Quenched tempered bars have proliferated in the Philippine market since two decades ago, in contrast to their being banned in other countries.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 15, 2019 20:03 UTC