Comillas' Major Seminary Collapses

Last week we met with the sad news of the collapse in the major seminary at Comillas. A building of historical and cultural value and a symbol of Cantabria.

Under rehabilitation works for several years, we had the opportunity to work on a joint project in 2007, leaded by the  Grupo de Tecnología de la Edificación ,University of Cantabria, to monitor different structural points sensitive to the rehabilitation work.


In its initial phase, different structural monitoring solutions  coexisted  for a period of one month to study the feasibility of the project. Taking different variables such as windstrength and direction, temperature / humidity, inclinations in pillars or openings of cracks. Unfortunately the project did not proceed.


We take this opportunity to highlight the benefits of structural monitoring systems, especially in cases like this one.


With a much lower economic impact  than the budget of some works of this magnitude, there are monitoring solutions that reduce the risks associated with the works. Having the real-time/stored information to take preventive actions or to establish causality to certain accidents.


Seize the opportunity created by new technologies.


"What is not defined, cannot be measured. What is not measured cannot be improved.What is not improving, always breaks down."

Lord Kelvin