Specifications of earthquake-resistant buildings in Türkiye
Many countries follow strict requirements to protect against natural disasters such as earthquakes. Turkey is considered one of the most prominent countries that have adopted strict security requirements for earthquakes. But do all residential buildings in Türkiye adhere to these requirements? What are the specifications of earthquake-resistant buildings in Türkiye?
Earthquake-resistant buildings aim to reduce the impact of earthquakes on the structure. It ensures that the walls are built in a way that protects them from cracking or collapsing. The design of these buildings is developed based on multiple studies, including studies of the quality of the soil on the site and the selection of appropriate materials for construction.
Designing earthquake-resistant buildings also includes choosing windows and doors that can withstand vibration, building thick walls to protect against splitting or collapsing, and determining the appropriate height for these buildings in each location.
The Turkish government is making serious efforts to protect against earthquakes after the country was exposed to the Marmara earthquake in 1999. These efforts included a series of measures, including:
1. Modifying and managing building and construction operations, so that they are implemented under the supervision of a design engineering consulting company commissioned directly by the municipality.
2. In 2007, a law was passed specifying requirements for earthquake-resistant buildings in Turkey, and all residential and commercial properties in the country were surveyed and identified.
3. Residential and commercial properties were classified according to risk level based on specific indicators, and construction solutions were provided for low and medium risk buildings. The buildings exposed to danger were demolished.
4. Earthquake insurance has been implemented in Turkey, ensuring that real estate investments are protected from losses in future earthquakes.
Conditions for earthquake-resistant buildings in Türkiye include:
– Examine the site’s soil and issue a “soil study record” to evaluate its quality and solidity, in order to determine the extent of the soil’s impact on the structure during the earthquake.
– Concrete columns can withstand certain loads and ensure their ability to support ceilings without collapsing.
– Use strong joints to absorb seismic pressure and reduce shock.
– A maximum height limit for buildings, as modern buildings cannot exceed 50 meters. If they exceed this limit, they must be reinforced with more insulation and joints on the upper floors.
Specifications of earthquake-resistant buildings in Turkey?
The specifications of buildings designed to withstand the impact of earthquakes include several basic elements. Building designs must be balanced internally and externally, and this includes the horizontal planning of the overall structure in order to achieve this balance.
Furthermore, the site soil should be selected based on the soil study report that determines its hardness and strength to support the construction. This report provides suggestions for solving the problems of building on soil, and points out the need to avoid fragile and sandy soil. The durability of the soil plays a major role in reducing vibrations during earthquakes.
The prominent advantage of earthquake-resistant buildings lies in their ability to remain cohesive and not disintegrate during earthquakes. This is due to the strength of the building joints and their ability to absorb the pressure resulting from earthquakes, which contributes to reducing damage resulting from seismic shocks.
Buildings that are not covered by earthquake insurance in Türkiye include:
1. Buildings and parts designated for public housing and buildings serving the public.
2. Buildings erected in some rural areas
3. Buildings that violate legally valid building standards.
4. Buildings that were built without a specific engineering plan.
5. Hybrid buildings and unfit for human use.
6. Buildings and units recognized by the Public Housing Law that are used for public purposes.
7. Buildings erected in some rural areas.
8. Buildings completely designated for commercial or industrial activities.
9. Buildings that were built without an engineering plan or project design.
10. Buildings built in violation of relevant legislation.
11. Buildings that have been determined to be demolished at the discretion of authorized public institutions.
12. Neglected, damaged or abandoned buildings that are not suitable for residential use.
What are the effects of earthquakes on the real estate investment sector in Türkiye?
Existing studies after the 2020 Izmir earthquake reported that 95% of damaged buildings were built before 2007 and were between 20 and 30 years old, reflecting their lack of compliance with earthquake-resistant construction requirements.
The Turkish President noted that 98% of the buildings damaged by the 2023 Turkish earthquake were built before 1999. In this context, the government intends to start constructing housing units for those affected by the earthquake as early as March.
The 2019 Istanbul earthquake highlights the importance of strong and sturdy building architecture in Turkey to ensure the safety of residents in the event of earthquakes.
In addition, the Turkish real estate market has witnessed a significant improvement in recent years, especially in 2022, which witnessed record numbers in real estate sales in Turkey.
In short, Turkey strives to achieve safety and earthquake resistance by implementing strict requirements in the design and construction of buildings.