The Armenian Association for Earthquake Engineering (AAEE) was established in September 1998 during the Second International Conference on Earthquake Hazard and Seismic Risk Reduction organized by the National Survey for Seismic Protection (NSSP) in Yerevan. At that time by the initiative of the well known expert in the field of earthquake engineering Mr. Asadour Hadjian (USA) a special meeting was organized, where he proposed to establish the AAEE. There were 17 Armenian scientists and engineers present at the meeting, including the citizens of USA, A. Hadjian and H. Nazarian. Mr. Hadjian gave a short account of the work of the International (IAEE) and European (EAEE) Associations for Earthquake Engineering and also proposed that after registration as an association, AAEE to request full membership into the IAEE and EAEE. According to the agenda of the meeting, elections were held and Dr. Mikayel Melkumyan was unanimously elected President of AAEE. It was also resolved to authorize Mr. Hadjian to attend the matters dealing with the establishment of relations with engineering organizations as well as individuals abroad.
After founding of AAEE the work on its registration started. The Statutes of AAEE were developed and all necessary documents were prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. Finally the AAEE was registered in spring 1999 and exactly since that time AAEE started its activities. In the year 2000 during the 12th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Oakland, New Zealand AAEE became a member of IAEE and in 2002 during the 12th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering in London, UK AAEE became a member of EAEE. Presently there are 30 members of AAEE who are citizens of Armenia and 26 corresponding members from USA, Switzerland and Turkey. AAEE is maintaining its bank accounts at Armeconombank of Armenia, HSBC BANK Armenia and at the Bank of America, USA.
In 2000 the following action plan was approved by the Board of AAEE:
1. Establishment of the Museum in the city of Spitak dedicated to the 1988 Spitak earthquake and a permanently acting exhibition on the achievements in the field of earthquake engineering.
2. Translation into English of the Seismic Code of the Republic of Armenia.
3. Development and publication of the Catalog of the joints and junctions most frequently used in design drawings for the construction in Armenia.
4. Development and publication of a brochure to educate population how to properly build or strengthen their houses using local construction materials.
5. Together with the American University of Armenia (AUA) and the Anti-Seismic Systems International Society (ASSISi) co-organizing of the 8th World Seminar on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation and Active Vibration Control of Structures.
The establishment of the Museum in the city of Spitak was the first large project of the AAEE. More than 14 years have already passed after the 1988 Spitak Earthquake. The destructive consequences of this earthquake are well known – more than 25,000 people killed and more than 500,000 people homeless. Thus, it is necessary to always remember about what happened and to draw lessons from that disastrous earthquake.
Armenia is located in a zone of high seismic activity where earthquakes will always occur. The tragedy of the 1988 Spitak Earthquake showed that the underestimation of this inescapable natural phenomenon leads to disastrous consequences, which turn back the development of the country for decades. This happens, when the world experience in assessment of seismic hazard and risk and protection against it is ignored.
Every member of the society should know what kind of hazard is in store for him and how he can help himself and others in case of an earthquake. By creating his dwelling or his working place without the necessary base of knowledge, a person exposes himself and others, as well as his progeny, to a mortal danger conditioned by forthcoming earthquakes. One should not live for the day only and think, that the earthquake would hit somewhere far away from him. Because of lack of education in the areas of earthquake engineering and disaster management people continue to build their habitation in absolutely inadequate ways towards the real seismic hazard.
That is why the Armenian Association for Earthquake Engineering (AAEE) has started a very important Project to educate the population by creation of the above-mentioned Museum in the city of Spitak. The Museum is to become a source of knowledge, education and information for people from various strata of society and of different ages.
Currently the Museum in the city of Spitak is representing the major undertaking of AAEE. It was established under the auspices of the:
Government of Norway,
“Grand Thornton Amyot” International Consulting and Auditing Company,
“Tigran & Artsrun” Ltd. Armenian Construction Company,
World Bank Yerevan Office,
“Kanaka” Armenian Construction OJSC,
AAEE,
Yerevan Factory of Rubber Technical Articles,
“Business Consult” Armenian Consulting and Auditing Company,
Dr. Agbabian Family from USA,
“ArmProject” Armenian Design OJSC,
“Nahapet & K” Ltd. Armenian Patent Company,
“Caritas” Swiss-Armenian Wood Production Company,
“Yegvard Production Base” Ltd. Armenian Construction Company,
Mikayel and Naira Melkumyan Family,
American University of Armenia,
Armenian Fund USA.
AAEE has completed the initial phase of creation of the Museum. The following tasks were accomplished:
· selection and allocation of premises for the Museum
· development of drawings for repair and construction works
· implementation of repair and construction works
· obtaining of equipment (partly)
· obtaining of furniture (partly)
· obtaining and preparation of exhibits (partly)
· creation of library of video-films on earthquakes,
· systems for seismic protection, etc. (partly)
· creation of library of technical and educational literature (partly),
which enabled to officially open the Museum on November 22, 2002.
The Museum is established in a separate premise of a 4-storied apartment block, recently built in Spitak. This unique seismically isolated building itself exhibits the newest achievement in the field of earthquake engineering in Armenia.
The posters on the history of establishment of the Museum and on the activities of the nine countries (Austria, Byelorussia, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Russia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine) and three international organizations (World Bank, American Red Cross, Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation) are located here. Some models of buildings with seismic protection systems, as well as educational posters of the Armenian Red Cross and AAEE are also located here. Several educational films telling about earthquakes in different countries and their consequences and about rescue works are collected. Armenian experts are conducting lectures for different groups of population, giving them explanations on all the issues they are interested in.
It should be mentioned that the Municipality of Spitak is actively working within the framework of the Project by raising the public awareness of the population of the region, informing about the course of the Project implementation, creating a universal atmosphere of benevolence and assistance from the side of the population during the realization of the Project.
A special attention in the Museum will be paid to the improvement of seismic literacy of children, pupils of schools and students of universities. A close collaboration with the construction companies and universities will be maintained. Also the experts, invited from abroad, will periodically lecture and hold classes here. The Museum will have a regional importance, as it is proposed to closely collaborate with the relevant authorities of neighboring countries and to organize visits, lectures, and seminars for them. There is no similar Museum in any of the countries of the nearest abroad, and this also proves its originality.
In order to ensure the further developments and successful operation of the Museum the following tasks should be solved by AAEE:
· recruitment of the personnel
· training of the personnel
· further obtaining of equipment
· further preparation of exhibits
· creation or purchase of computerized educational programs on earthquake engineering and disaster management
· enlarging of the library of video films on earthquakes, systems for seismic protection and disaster management
· enlarging of the library of books, journals and other educational materials on earthquakes, systems for seismic protection and disaster management
· public awareness campaign - informing the population about the establishment of the Museum and its activities through mass media
· development and publishing of a booklet about the Museum
· organization of regular visits to the Museum for different groups of population
· organization of regular seminars and trainings.
That is why AAEE is continuously looking for sponsorship and help.
M.Melkumyan