A technical inspection by the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), has uncovered a series of critical structural and engineering faults in several buildings across the capital that were damaged during the recent earthquake.
The findings have raised renewed concerns about construction quality, building code compliance and the long-term seismic vulnerability of Dhaka’s rapidly growing urban landscape.
A high-level expert delegation from IEB, led by Vice President (Services & Welfare) Engineer Niaz Uddin Bhuiyan, conducted field visits on Sunday to inspect quake-affected buildings in Swamibagh, Sutrapur, and Dhania.
The team included specialists in civil, structural, geotechnical engineering and building safety, including Engineer ATM Tanvir-ul Hasan (Tamal), Engineer Md Ruhul Alam and Engineer Md Abdur Rashek Mallik.
Major design flaws, weak materials, lack of retrofitting
During the inspections, the delegation conducted preliminary assessments of structural integrity, visible cracks on columns and beams, foundation stability, and potential retrofitting needs. The team reported identifying several high-risk engineering faults across the inspected sites, including:
- Inadequate or flawed structural design
- Use of substandard construction materials or insufficient reinforcement
- Absence of retrofitting measures
- Poor adherence to Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC)
- Lack of post-construction safety monitoring and maintenance
According to IEB, these deficiencies significantly compromise the safety of the buildings and increase vulnerability during even moderate seismic events.
Three neighbourhoods, three different risk patterns
At Swamibagh’s Mitali School, the team found exposed reinforcement, disintegrating concrete and shear cracks—symptoms of long-term structural weakness.
In Sutrapur’s 102/1 building, horizontal and diagonal cracks indicated potential design and construction-stage errors despite the building being relatively new.
At Dhania’s Bornomala School, geotechnical issues were more prominent, with potential foundation instability due to inadequate soil assessment.
“These signs are not just cracks—they are warnings,” one of the inspecting structural engineers told the Dhaka Tribune team accompanying the visit.
Urgent detailed engineering assessment needed
IEB reiterated that the affected buildings require a Detailed Engineering Assessment (DEA) without delay to determine their load-bearing capacity, retrofitting requirements, and overall safety for continued use.
“Without a DEA, it is impossible to determine whether some of these structures are safe or should be vacated immediately,” the delegation noted.
Seismic resilience demands strict enforcement of BNBC
The expert team emphasised that strengthening urban seismic resilience must begin with rigorous and uncompromised implementation of the Bangladesh National Building Code.
IEB recommended:
- Mandatory safety audits for older and high-risk buildings
- Retrofitting support and guidelines for vulnerable structures
- Improved training for engineers, builders, and field supervisors
- Stronger monitoring and regulatory enforcement
- IEB offers full technical support to government agencies
The organization expressed its readiness to support government bodies with structural assessments, safety guidelines, and technical advice for damaged buildings across Dhaka and other cities.
“Protecting lives and ensuring urban stability must be the highest priority. Compliance with BNBC is not optional—it is essential,” IEB said in its statement.
