When a building collapses in an earthquake, the instinct is to assume the worst: that the entire structure was poorly built, that nothing could have been done. But walking through the damage in Venezuela tells a more nuanced and more important story.
In some areas of the earthquake zone, approximately 80% of structures are either completely destroyed or heavily damaged. The combination of soft soil conditions and construction deficiencies created conditions that amplified the seismic forces on buildings throughout the area. But the rubble itself is revealing something critical, and it is not always what you would expect.
When Good Work Isn’t Enough
In one collapsed building, the rebar work was actually well executed. Good hooks. Good spacing. The right amount of steel. Someone put in real effort on that structure. And yet the building came down.
The reason: the rebar was not lapped properly into the foundation. It simply stopped where it should have continued — extended further and tied into the structural system below. That connection, what engineers call lapping the rebar, is what transfers the forces from one element to another during a seismic event. Without it, even well-placed rebar cannot do its job.
One missing detail. One building down. That is how it happens, and that is why structural engineering in seismic zones is not just about following a general plan. It is about getting every single connection right.
When the Code Works
Not every damaged building in the earthquake zone tells a story of failure. Some structures that appear devastated — heavily cracked, visibly distorted, clearly unusable — are actually examples of the building code working exactly as intended.
Building codes in seismic zones are not designed to keep buildings looking pristine after a major earthquake. They are designed to prevent collapse and protect lives. A building that is damaged beyond repair but remains standing long enough for occupants to evacuate has done its job. That distinction matters enormously when evaluating what went wrong, what went right, and what needs to change going forward.
Building Back The Right Way
This area can be rebuilt. The soil conditions are challenging, but they are not insurmountable. Japan builds in far more difficult seismic environments. So does California. The knowledge, the engineering, and the technology exist to construct buildings that not only survive major earthquakes but remain functional afterward.
Seismic dampers, base isolators, and other proven resilience technologies are available, cost-effective, and increasingly accessible even in regions with limited construction budgets. The difference between a building that collapses and one that stands and remains usable often comes down to informed design decisions and quality construction practices.
The lessons being learned on the ground in Venezuela are painful. But they are also valuable, and they are exactly the kind of knowledge that should shape how this region rebuilds.
Miyamoto International is on the ground in Venezuela conducting structural assessments, supporting recovery planning, and contributing to the groundwork for rebuilding — in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR).
The work continues.
