ELAZIG GUNISIGI NEWSPAPER – December 2011
IS YOUR HOUSE EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT?
When buying a house, many people don’t think about its earthquake resistance. Details like room sizes, balconies, and kitchen cabinets are often prioritized over the structural integrity of the house, which is a well-known fact. This issue, which is overlooked when purchasing a house, only gains importance after a devastating earthquake, and unfortunately, its significance often fades away within a few months. In this regard, we cannot entirely blame the authorities for not giving enough attention to issues like earthquake-resistant buildings, building inspections, and urban transformation. If there is no consistent and persistent demand from the citizens on these matters, we may ask ourselves whether it is reasonable to expect any action from the authorities.
After the Van-Erciş earthquakes, I have been frequently asked the same question: “Is my house earthquake-resistant? Will it collapse in a severe earthquake?” The truth is, you can assess the risk of your home yourself. By reviewing important parameters related to your building, you can decide what steps to take.
The foundation of your building is crucial when considering its earthquake behavior. Soft soils, riverbeds, and filled grounds are risky when it comes to earthquakes. Additionally, buildings on steep slopes pose a significant earthquake risk.
For Elazığ, the age of your building is very important in terms of earthquake resistance. This date is not 1999 as many people may think. The changes in the Disaster Management Regulations and the effects of the Marmara Earthquake did not immediately show their impact on building quality. Building inspections in Elazığ started systematically around 2005. Structures built before this date are at risk in terms of material quality and craftsmanship.
Having a basement in your building is an advantage for earthquake resistance. For buildings constructed before 2005, the number of floors is also a risk factor. As the weight of the structure increases, so do the forces it will face in an earthquake. Therefore, multi-story buildings with insufficient earthquake resistance are considered risky.
Buildings with commercial spaces on the ground floor are also at risk during earthquakes. This is because there are no partition walls on the commercial floor, and the structural resistance of this floor is different from that of the upper floors.
The structural elements of your building, such as columns and beams, should not be damaged. Damaged or altered columns and beams due to renovations in commercial spaces or residential areas create serious risks. These issues should be reported to the authorities and experts as soon as possible. Additions to the building, such as extra floors or decks, will also reduce the earthquake resistance of your structure.
If your building is in a row house (adjoining) configuration, the floor levels of neighboring buildings should be the same. Differences in floor levels can lead to a hammering effect during an earthquake, which can increase risks.
If any one or more of these negative factors, or perhaps all of them, exist in your building, it indicates that your structure is under earthquake risk. We do not have to live with this risk for the rest of our lives. Passing on this risk to our children would be highly irresponsible. The solution to this problem lies in the renewal of the buildings.
Renewing buildings is not a task that can only be accomplished by institutions. As a nation, we should support this effort. The future of our country should not be overshadowed by personal interests. Both the child in the cradle and the elderly at seventy need urban transformation. Let’s support sincere efforts in this matter.
Next Monday (December 19) is Civil Engineers' Day. I would like to congratulate all my colleagues in advance on this special day.