Risk level
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Exercise a high degree of caution in Honduras due to crime.
Avoid non-essential travel to the following areas due to gang-related violence, high crime rate, and civil unrest:
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Safety and security
Border areas often see higher criminal activity and violence.
If you&#;re travelling by land to neighbouring countries:
Criminal groups are especially active on the coast between the Guatemalan border and Puerto Cortés. Criminal activities include:
There has also been an increased number of migrants leaving Honduras through Guatemala, particularly at the border crossing in Agua Caliente. This movement results in periodic closures.
The El Florido border crossing in the town of Copán is also closed daily from 9 pm to 6 am.
There has also been an increased number of migrants leaving Nicaragua through Honduras, particularly at the border crossings in Las Manos and Trojes.
Expect possible delays at borders.
Street gangs and criminal groups are very active in the Cortés municipalities of:
The number of murder and violent crime is higher in these areas.
Drugs smuggling and violence pose security threats in the northern departments of:
Roadblocks and violent incidents related to land disputes in Colón, mostly in the Aguán valley and in the north coast area near Trujillo, have occurred.
The department of Gracias a Dios is a remote area where law enforcement and access to government services are very limited. Levels of criminal activity are high.
Violent crime is high in the coastal city of La Ceiba. This includes murders and armed robberies.
Although tourists are not the primary target of criminals, you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
If you consider travelling to La Ceiba:
The Bay Islands are generally safe. Violent crime is lower, but petty crime sometimes occurs.
Some foreigners have been assaulted on beaches, mainly at night. Home burglaries have also occurred, sometimes in rental accommodations.
While in the Bay Islands:
If you&#;re docking in Roatán and getting off the cruise ship, you should consider booking a tour or a sightseeing trip through a reputable company to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.
Although the overall situation has slightly improved since , violent crime remains a concern throughout Honduras. The country retains one of the highest homicide rates in the world.
Drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and street gang activity is prevalent in certain neighbourhoods. Violent incidents are frequent, including:
These crimes are carried out by criminals acting individually or as a group.
Many Hondurans are armed. Guns and other weapons, such as machetes and knives, are frequently used. Incidents of armed robbery occur mainly on urban streets during the day and on intercity buses at night.
The Government of Honduras lacks sufficient resources to properly respond to, investigate and prosecute cases. Infiltration within the security forces by local gangs weaken law enforcement even further. Criminals linked to organized crime often operate with a high degree of impunity throughout Honduras.
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs. Thefts commonly occur in:
To avoid becoming a victim:
Local authorities periodically declare a state of emergency in various municipalities to fight against gang-related crime and extortion.
While a state of emergency is in effect, security forces have increased rights to restrict freedom of movement, conduct searches, make seizures and detain persons of interest.
If you are travelling in an area where a state of emergency is in effect:
Express kidnappings can occur in urban areas.
These kidnappings are often committed by organised gangs or taxi drivers. The kidnappers usually take their victims to an ATM and force them to make a cash withdrawal.
Demonstrations take place regularly. In Tegucigalpa, demonstrations may occur:
In San Pedro Sula, protesters usually gather at the Monumento a la Madre.
Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.
Honduran law prohibits political activities by foreigners. Participating in demonstrations or activities may result in you being detained or deported.
Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Credit card and ATM fraud occurs.
Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:
Overseas fraud
Snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.
Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.
Advice for women travellers
Coastal waters can be dangerous. Riptides are common.
Rescue services may not be consistent with international standards. Not all beaches have lifeguards or warning flags to warn of unsafe conditions.
Water safety abroad
Outdoor activities, such as hiking, diving, mountain biking and other adventure activities can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are not always marked, and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in during summer.
If you intend to practice adventure tourism:
Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Accidents causing fatalities are common. The number of traffic accidents involving tourists has also increased.
Many roads are poorly delineated due to regular flooding. Driving can be dangerous due to:
If you&#;re travelling by land, use caution between:
Between Tegucigalpa to Trujillo, you should use the RN39 and transit via Gualaco, San Esteban and Bonito Oriental rather than the RN41 via Salamá et Sabá.
Drivers don&#;t respect traffic laws. They often drive at excessive speeds. They may be aggressive and reckless.
If you drive in Honduras:
Gang members and criminals sometimes disguise themselves as police officers. At legitimate police checkpoints, you should see:
If you have any doubts, you may contact the Honduran Transit Authority by dialing 911 to confirm the location of the roadblocks and the identity of the individuals stopping you before rolling down your window or opening your door.
Sometimes, thieves also pose as victims of road accidents.
Public transportation in Honduras is unsafe and unreliable.
Most urban public buses are poorly maintained. Drivers are reckless. Accidents are common.
Incidents of armed robbery are frequent on public buses. Incidents of arson have also occurred.
Some taxis are an acceptable option for transportation.
When travelling to the airport, you may pre-arrange your pickup with your hotel prior to your departure. Authorized airport taxis drivers wear easily identifiable ID badges.
We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.
Information about foreign domestic airlines
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Entry and exit requirements
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination&#;s entry or exit requirements.
We have obtained the information on this page from the Honduran authorities. It can, however, change at any time.
Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.
Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.
Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country&#;s entry rules.
Your passport must be valid at least 6 months from the date of entry.
Different entry rules may apply.
Official travel
While the Government of Canada issues passports with an &#;X&#; gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the &#;X&#; gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Student permit: required
If you intend to study in Honduras, you must obtain a student permit which can be obtained from the immigration authorities once you arrive in the country.
National Institute of Migration &#; Government of Honduras
You must complete the Government of Honduras' customs declaration form prior to entering or leaving the country.
After completing the online form, you must present the QR code to the customs authorities, either on paper or electronically.
Customs declaration form &#; Government of Honduras
Immigration authorities will stamp your passport upon arrival and write down the number of days you are allowed in the country. The 90-day period is not guaranteed, and the decision is at their discretion.
You may face a fine and possible delays if you fail to present an entry-stamped passport when departing Honduras.
Under the terms of the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement (CA-4), Canadian tourists may travel freely within any of the following CA-4 countries:
You can travel between these countries for up to 90 days without having to undergo entry and exit formalities at border immigration checkpoints.
You must still check in at immigration counters when you enter or exit these checkpoints.
The 90-day period begins at the first point of entry to any of the CA-4 countries. You will be fined if you exceed the 90-day limit.
If you plan to enter by land, you need to pay 3 USD or the equivalent in lempiras.
You can apply for extensions of up to 30 days at a time, at the discretion of the immigration authorities. You must request this extension and pay the required fee at the Honduran immigration office before your first 90-day limit expires.
National Institute of Migration &#; Government of Honduras
Customs officials may ask you to show them:
The age of majority in Honduras is 21. The country has strict requirements for the entry and exit of minors.
A minor must show a written and notarized authorization to travel:
The written authorization must be in Spanish and authenticated by the Honduran authorities prior to arrival.
This is also enforced if the minor has a residential or citizenship tie to Honduras inherited from one of the parents, even if the tie has not been legally registered.
Travelling with children
Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).
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Laws and culture
You must abide by local laws.
Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.
Canada and Honduras are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Honduras to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Honduran authorities.
This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences or heavy fines.
Honduras is used as a drug trafficking hub between South and North America.
Drugs, alcohol and travel
Goto Kaichaungxing to know more.
Honduran law prohibits the export of:
Disputes related to property acquisition or other investments are costly and take time to resolve.
Many tourists have reported complications during real estate transactions in Honduras.
If you plan on buying property, or making other investments in Honduras:
It&#;s illegal for foreigners to participate in local political activities, rallies or public demonstrations in Honduras.
Political involvement may result in your deportation or expulsion.
Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Honduras.
If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Honduras, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.
Dual citizens
Honduran law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, same-sex couples are not legally recognized.
LGBTQ2 persons could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.
Avoid public displays of affection.
Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Honduras.
If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Honduras, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Honduran court.
If you are in this situation:
If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.
Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.
You may drive in Honduras with your valid Canadian driver license for up to 3 months.
At all times when driving, you must carry:
In the event of a car accident:
Failure to remain at the site may be considered an admission of guilt under Honduran law. However, some accidents may attract a crowd that could turn hostile. If you feel unsafe:
If you are involved in a road accident causing injuries, you may be temporarily detained, regardless of culpability.
International Driving Permit
The currency in Honduras is the lempira (HNL).
You cannot exchange Canadian dollars in Honduras. You can easily exchange U.S. dollars.
ATMs are available in urban areas but not all foreign cards work at all ATMs or points of service. They may be rare in rural areas.
A valid passport is required for all financial transactions.
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Natural disasters and climate
Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.
These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services. You could face serious safety risks during a hurricane.
If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:
The rainy season extends from May to November. It can lead to severe flooding.
Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides. Bridges, buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged.
Wildfires are common between December and April.
The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.
In case of a major fire:
Honduras is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes and tsunamis can occur.
Even minor earthquakes can cause significant damage.
Tsunami warnings may be issued after a strong earthquake. A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you&#;re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region&#;s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.
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(Only available in english &#; solo disponible en inglés)
Rúbrica Engineering were in the last Arch (9th international conference on arch bridges) in Porto.
Here you are the article presented on the Conference.
Formworks travelers for two different types of reinforced concrete arch bridges
Javier Fernandez[1-2] Jose Vicente Rajadell[1-2] Paula Rinaudo[1-2]
1 Rúbrica Engineering
Abstract.
There are several types of reinforce arch bridges and their construction method is highly influence by its design. The aim of this article is to present the construction method of two singular concrete arch bridges: Don Enrique Bridge, in in Oporto, Portugal; and the Almonte Bridge, in Cáceres, Spain. Both case studies are already constructed.
The construction methods in both cases are different since it was the result of the combination of design of the bridge and boundary conditions and restrains present on construction site.
However, in both cases the construction method is based on the balance cantilever bridge construction, applied to arch concrete typologies.
It is important to highlight that in arch bridges typologies, the construction method are more complex than the rest of bridge types, because of the need of control deflection, geometry variability and launching processes.
Almonte traveler was design as underslung structure while Don Henrique as upper structure (composed by 2 independent structures). In both cases, the formwork structures were design, manufactured and supervised by Rubrica.
Keywords: Arch concrete bridge, Formwork Traveler, Balance Cantilever.
Don Henrique Bridge construction method
General description of the bridge
Don Henrique arch bridge is a road bridge over Duero River and connects the Vila Nove de Gaia with Oporto. In was launched an international bidding contest for the design of the bridge [1], that was awarded to Ideam & AFA[2], both engineering companies. The construction was awarded to NECSO & EDIFER in a Joint Venture association.
The bridge is designed with an arch geometry defined as a polygonal, with much higher radius than standard arch bridge and thinner than usual. The free span is 280m has 28 meters of height in center span. The arch is composed by a constant reinforced concrete thickness of 1.5 meter and the deck is designed with two heights: 6 meters and 4.5 meters.
The width of the arch is variable from 20 meters in starting segment (arch abutment) to 10 meters in the 70 meters of the center span. In particular, in the central section the arch and the deck are integrated resulting in a section height of 6m.
Fig. 1. General layout of span distribution and sections
The standard section of 4.5 meters was designed with variable thickness of slab concrete, remaining the depth and width constant (except in the 70 meters of central span).
Construction Method
In standard construction method of this type of bridges, the arch is built first, and then when the arch is closed and fully capable to withstand additional supports the deck is constructed over the arch.
However, in this case, since it is not structurally working as arch bridge, the solution was to execute the deck and arch simultaneously, being the deck some segment forward from the arch (and sometimes overlapping both segment, arch and deck).
After the definition of the construction methodology, the travelers were designed. A traveler was designed for the construction of the deck and and other structure was designed for pouring the arch. The deck construction was at least one segment in advance of the arch. Then, the platform for pouring the arch was hanging from the deck and anchored on the previous segment of the arch.
The control of deflection in the arch pouring was solved replacing bars/cables by plates (similar as a chain behavior), which were adjustable in height. The rear anchor point was designed as pre-stressed bar connected to previous segment already poured.
The main characteristic of the construction method used is that the arch need the upper deck for assuming construction loads and vice versa.
Fig. 2. Description of construction method
Fig. 3. Equipment for arch and deck construction
The deck construction machine was designed as a standard formwork traveler used in balance cantilever bridge construction. The design was also considered to avoid clashes with the arch execution equipment, and enable the pouring of same segment. All formworks were supplied in steel, and were capable to adapt to the different geometry of deck.
The adaptation of the segment in the arch connection with deck was one of the critical points of the construction, as the internal diaphragms were so heavy that the segment needed to be built in two phases.
The steel forms were adapted to this segment, as well as the arch forms. The segment was successfully performed.
Fig. 4. Segment prior the connection arch &#; deck pouring
Almonte bridge construction method
General description of the bridge
The high speed railway line Madrid-Extremadura crosses over the Almonte River at its arrival at Alcántara reservoir through a viaduct that consists of a large arch bridge of high strength concrete with superior deck and 384 m main span [3]. That span is the largest arch bridge for high-speed railway in the world. Because of this uniqueness, a number of specific verifications and analysis were necessary to addressed during its design and construction.
The construction method was highly influenced by the restriction of weight of the solution as well as the need of being capable to adapt the traveler to the three different sections required to be poured by the formwork traveler.
Almonte river arch bridge is geometrically built by 33 segments divided in 4 different geometries [4]:
First type is double section
Second type is a transition segment between double section to single section
Third type is single section in middle span
Forth type is starting single section.
Fig. 5. Constant section segments
Construction method
The construction was decided to be done by balance cantilever, using temporary restraints, for the arch. The deck and pier were built afterwards the arch was completed.
Fig. 6. Completed arch &#; Lowering operation after key segment
The first staring single segment and the starting double section segment was performed by traditional scaffolding system, enabling the assembly and anchorage of the formwork travelers on each side.
The initial part of the arch is designed as double section, so it was needed two travelers per side to perform the first 15 segments.
The structured designed and supplied for the arch construction was an underslung I welded frame with variable depth to optimize the weight of the system.
Fig. 7. Configuration of anchors
The anchor system used was a pre-stressed bars and a rear adjustable support that received the pouring loads, and a roller system on the back and a rail system at the front that enabled the launching movement of each traveler.
The solution adopted was capable to perform the special maneuver of joining both travelers of one side, in one, including the capability of pouring the special joining segment on number 16. This procedure was successfully performed using special sliding system on each traveler, which enabled the launching of transversal beams laterally to close the gap between travelers.
The special procedure consisted in launch one traveler, perform segment 15, afterwards move back the traveler and launch the opposite to segment 15, and perform this segment, and finally, prepare the travelers for the joining operation, and launch both travelers in a single operation for establishing the connection.
Fig. 8. Configuration before the connection
Fig. 9. Configuration after the connection
Conclusion
The construction methods of two different cases were presented. The design of each solution was the result of the combination of design of the bridge and boundary conditions and restrains present on construction site.
However, in both cases the construction method is based on the balance cantilever bridge construction, applied to arch concrete typologies.
References
Historia Civil Homepage, https://historiacivil.wordpress.com//03/23/puente-infante-don-henriqe/ las accessed 25/04/
Afa concult Homepage, http://www.afaconsult.com/uploads
CICCP publicaciones, http://ropdigital.ciccp.es/pdf/publico/ , last accessed 29/04/.
Smich, T, Bordó E., Formwork travellers for construction of the arch of the Almonte River Bridge. Asociación Científico-Técnica del Hormigón Estructural (ACHE). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. ()
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