In Turkey, the vulnerability to earthquakes is a critical concern; a significant 92% of the country’s land, accommodating 95% of the population and hosting 98% of industrial facilities, lies within earthquake-prone areas. Furthermore, 92% of the nation’s dams are situated in these high-risk zones. With regard to seismic threat, 21.5% of the population resides in…

These issues pertain to the overall building configuration and are applicable across all configurations. In accordance with current seismic codes, irregularities encompass a range of configuration variables that notably impact the building’s seismic performance. While definitions may differ, consensus exists on the key configuration irregularities deemed significant. Building Size The impact of configuration irregularities varies…

Soft and Weak Stories A soft story exhibits a significant decrease in lateral stiffness from the level immediately above it, while a weak story experiences a notable reduction in strength compared to the story above. The key attributes of a weak or soft first story involve a discontinuity in strength or stiffness, particularly at the…

Following an earthquake, several destructive secondary causes for structural damages might occur. The most significant of which are subsidence, liquefaction, and Pounding due to proximity to other buildings Subsidence The impact of an earthquake on both dry and wet loose soils is similar to the densification effect that a vibrator has on fresh concrete. Densification…

General Concepts for Seismic Resistance In simple terms, an earthquake is the back-and-forth ground movement during a seismic event. The time taken for one complete oscillation is the period of the earthquake, which dampens after the first movement. This oscillation causes the super-structure (building) to accelerate one way, followed by a back push, producing a…

While seismic damage typically highlights vertical elements, the importance of horizontal structures for seismic resistance is often overlooked. Crucial for force transmission, they intertwine with floor systems. Despite their invisibility in architectural plans, they significantly impact design decisions, relying on inherent strength and often sacrificially protected by damage to vertical elements, which can compromise building…

Forces from both the superstructure and ground acceleration act on foundations, making it the most critical part of the structure design in terms of resisting and transferring seismic movement (See fig. 3.2.3-a). There are many factors, including building design, structural choice, and site susceptibility to seismic hazards(as previously described in section 2), that determine the…

Horizontal members bear the responsibility of resisting inertia forces, channeling them into the vertical structure. The vertical elements, encompassing walls, columns, or diagonal braces, counteract these forces, transmitting them downward into the foundations. The seismic resistance required in the vertical structure differs markedly from that designed for gravity forces. Gravity-resisting structures typically adopt post-and-beam or…

Retaining structures located in seismic regions are subject to static soil pressures that are increased by dynamic effects. Where a structure also retains water, or any other fluid for that matter, the structural design process includes hydrodynamic pressures. Various types of retaining walls resist horizontal soil pressure. Gravity walls They rely on their self-weight to…

Non-structural elements are not designed to withstand seismic forces beyond their mass. These elements can be categorized into three groups: architectural features like cladding panels and partition walls; mechanical and electrical components such as elevators and plumbing; and building contents, encompassing items like bookcases. Two compelling reasons to seriously consider the seismic performance of these…

To mitigate seismic risks in communities, urban planners often restrict construction over known active fault lines. Buildings over these faults face severe damage from fault movements, which can be horizontal, causing shearing to foundations, or vertical, leading to structural distortions. Such damage typically exceeds that caused by ground shaking. Buildings on ruptured faults are prone…