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| Eapen George, Veliyam Kunnil, Keezhillath, Perumbavoor, Ernakulam |
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If Eapen George’s low cost earthquake-resistant constructions are more widely known in Andhra Pradesh than in Kerala, the thanks is due to the pro-active Chief Minister of that State. That his constructions were low cost was patent to any observer. But it took the mild tremours that rocked Kerala recently to suggest that they are earthquake resistant too.
The most glaring example was the 7-storied Archana Hospital constructed hardly 10 km from a quake centred at Melukavu. While other concrete buildings in the vicinity suffered cracks, the tall beauty of Eapen showed no such signs. This turned the searchlight on his other constructions, which too, remarkably, had withstood the shock.
Eapen wrote to Chief Ministers and Prime Minister in March 2001, offering his method for anyone who would care to give it a try. The only response was from Andhra Pradesh. In the 2nd week itself, the State Housing Corporation emailed him their interest.
That was the turning point. He constructed 10 quake-resistant 400 sq.ft. houses at Mugaligonda. The construction was a 1-month affair costing Rs.4 lakhs totally. This, at a time when the Corporation was spending Rs.1.5 lakhs per house there. The 2000-engineer community of Housing Corporation lavished its praise on him.
But one doubt remained. How far are they earthquake-resistant? This question was answered by Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC), Chennai. Their finding was that even in a Zone-5 earthquake, these buildings do not suffer structural deformity. Interestingly, the Rs.3 lakhs fee for testing was borne by the Corporation.
The Andhra Pradesh Government have asked Eapen to construct more such buildings. These buildings are made of prestressed beams with shells above them and have walls made of hollow blocks.
Eapen, a civil engineering graduate of REC, Thiruchirappally, wanted to do something different after passing out of college. After more than a decade of experiments he has been able to do exactly that.
His wife is Dr.Jancy of St. George Hospital, Muvattupuzha. They have a 2-year-old son Ivan.
Eapen in front of one of his constructions
Courtesy: Jacob K.Philip, Sree, Malayala Manorama, November 17, 2002
Contributed by: Administrator
