Earthquake resistant buildings in Turkey
On Monday 6-2-2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, resulting in thousands of victims, the collapse of ten states, and hundreds of homes and buildings. Here the question arises: Is Turkey still safe for stability and investment in it?
During the past weeks, the Turkish government issued several statements related to the earthquake, including:
- 98% of the damaged buildings were constructed before 1999, that is, before the Marmara earthquake, and all buildings built after this date were constructed according to new earthquake resistance laws and technologies.
- New buildings will be built in the ten affected states within one year.
- A financial support of 100,000 TL will be given to all victims.
- All the buildings belonging to the Housing Authority of Turkey “TOKI“, which number more than 133 thousand houses, were not damaged at all because they were built with earthquake-resistant technologies.
So what are the earthquake resistant buildings in Turkey and what are their specifications?
What are the earthquake resistant buildings in Turkey?
Earthquake resistant buildings are buildings that are designed and structured in a way designed to withstand earthquakes and the devastating effects of earthquakes, ensuring the safety and security of their occupants and reducing risks.
This is done by choosing strong and solid foundations for the building, flexible structural systems, and conducting many experiments on the building to ensure its resistance to earthquakes, and many other factors.
Characteristics of earthquake resistant buildings in Turkey
Earthquakes have been a natural disaster in Turkey for centuries, which is why the country has had to develop and implement strict building codes and regulations to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Therefore, earthquake resistant buildings are designed to withstand the seismic forces generated by an earthquake, thus reducing the risk of building collapse and loss of life.
The specifications of earthquake-resistant buildings in Turkey include the following:
- The construction should be done on solid soil that is not sandy or fragile, compacted appropriately and there are no distances between them, as the type of soil affects the reduction of vibrations in the construction at the time of the earthquake.
- Choosing a solid building foundation, strong joints, and earthquake resistant buildings materials with high ductility; Such as steel and concrete reinforced innovatively with fibers, to help absorb and disperse the energy resulting from the earthquake without causing damage to the building.
- Choosing a construction site in an area with less flooding, and focusing on draining water and bulk materials from the construction area.
- The use of anti-seismic techniques in construction; such As a base isolation technique (in which the building is constructed on top of a base or platforms consisting of steel, rubber, and lead, to absorb earthquake waves without shaking the building). or the pendulum technique (in which a heavy moving mass swinging in the opposite direction of an earthquake is used to stabilize the building). In addition to many other technologies.
- Attention to the dimensions and layout of the building; As if the building is symmetrical, and is designed in the form of a square or a rectangle. And studying the loads and weights of the building and choosing its specifications to guarantee its balance and earthquake resistance.
Turkish laws for earthquake resistant buildings
After the Marmara earthquake in 1999, Turkey began to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of its residents and citizens. The government has implemented strict legislation and building codes to make the structures earthquake-resistant, which all owners and contractors must abide by, in addition to conducting regular inspections and maintenance of buildings to ensure their safety.
Turkish laws and legislations related to earthquake-resistant buildings include:
- Insurance against earthquakes and natural disasters “DASK”: It is compulsory insurance against earthquakes and natural disasters that are paid by the property owner on all types of his real estate, and it is valid for a year and then renewed annually.
The importance of this insurance lies in the fact that it covers the costs of ensuring the safety of the building periodically and its resistance to earthquakes, and repairing damages resulting from any natural disasters.
- Turkish Building Code “TBC”: defines the basic standards for the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings in Turkey, and conducts all necessary tests for them to improve their resistance and stability against natural disasters.
- The construction of earthquake resistant buildings in Turkey under the modification and supervision of reliable companies approved by the municipality, to ensure the safety of the building and its conformity with the necessary specifications.
- Conduct regular inspections of buildings to ensure that they comply with the specifications of earthquake-resistant buildings in Turkey, and if the building is classified as very dangerous, it is evacuated and then demolished. Still, if its condition is medium to low risk, appropriate solutions are developed for it.
Is Turkey safe to settle and invest in?
Although Turkey has been exposed to earthquakes over the years, it is generally considered safe to settle and invest in. Natural disasters may occur in any country, but what really matters is the country’s efforts to deal with them now and reduce their losses in the future if they happen again.
The Turkish government is committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens and investors, and to providing them with compensation and guarantees. The government has implemented strict earthquake resistant buildings codes and regulations to ensure the safety of its residents. Building codes are based on extensive research and analysis of previous earthquake data, and building owners and contractors are required to follow these codes.
In addition to its efforts to improve building safety, Turkey has made great strides in economic growth in recent years, with a strategic geographical location, tourist attraction centers, and proving its worth among many global markets.
Summary
In conclusion, all modern buildings are designed to be earthquake-resistant in Turkey, and the state is working to strictly implement building laws and regulations in Turkey to ensure the safety of all individuals, and to use the latest technology and the best building materials to ensure that earthquakes are withstanding.
All you have to do is ensure the efficiency of your property and its resistance to earthquakes, by contacting the municipalities team to inspect the property for free via the following link: