ELAZIG GUNISIGI NEWSPAPER – December 2011
NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE STRATEGY SUGGESTIONS
After the Başyurt-Karakoçan Earthquake, we (Fırat Civil Engineers Association) designed and brought forward the "TÜDES" (Turkey Earthquake Strategy). Turkey needed a national earthquake strategy, and there are significant efforts in this regard by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. However, I believe that the necessary contributions from the provinces to these efforts are not being made adequately.
The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization has created a significant framework under the title of the National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan. Generally, the practice is for rules written in Ankara to be applied in rural areas, but this time, contrary to the usual approach, the ministry has listened to the voices from the provinces, which is commendable. This is an opportunity we should not miss. The ministry has paid attention to a very important point: Each province has its own unique structural characteristics. Therefore, earthquake strategies tailored to each province should be developed, provided that the main themes remain the same.
The provinces that act wisely and quickly will gain significant advantages. Elazığ should bring together its relevant institutions and organizations and promptly assess the earthquake risk in the city. Collective intelligence will be our greatest asset in solving problems. In addition to producing solutions for Elazığ, we can also present proposals and strategies for solutions nationwide. In this context, the Department of Civil Engineering at Fırat University, the Building and Concrete Application and Research Center, and the Fırat Civil Engineers Association have outlined their earthquake strategy suggestions as follows:
Earthquake Strategy Suggestions for Elazığ:
- Inter-institutional relations should be freed from bilateral relationships and strengthened through joint projects to become more efficient.
- The Elazığ City Symposium should be held with wide participation, where the city's problems can be identified and solutions discussed.
- Support should be taken from Fırat University’s Civil Engineering Department and the Building and Concrete Application and Research Center regarding the projects of new buildings to be constructed. Many projects in practice have significant deficiencies in terms of earthquake resistance.
- Additional rules for building inspection should be introduced by the municipality. One of the most important issues is the watering of concrete.
- Precautionary measures should be taken regarding buildings that were heavily and moderately damaged in the 2007 Sivrice Earthquake but have not undergone any treatment.
- Joint projects should be used to create the Elazığ Structural Risk Map.
- Strategies for rural and urban transformation related to the renewal of buildings should be developed.
- Renewal work on buildings should be initiated in line with these strategies.
Earthquake Strategy Suggestions for Turkey:
- Establish the Turkish Concrete Institute (TBE) and monitor all concrete plants and cement factories across the country. As long as ready-mix concrete is not supervised, large concrete mixers will continue working in many regions. Such institutions have played significant roles in countries like the USA and Japan.
- Urban transformation efforts should not begin before the structural inspection system fully ensures the production of earthquake-resistant buildings and addresses the system's shortcomings. Otherwise, we might face even larger problems than we currently have.
- Just as a class B driver’s license does not allow one to drive trucks or buses, not every civil engineer should be allowed to sign off on every project. Continuing professional education should take place after graduation. In this regard, joint efforts with TMMOB (Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects) should be made.
- The carpenters and ironworkers who are often overlooked in construction projects should be part of continuous education. A law should hold them accountable for deficiencies in construction, thus developing an internal control system within the production process. Relying solely on diplomas or certificates issued once in a lifetime will continue to perpetuate our issues.
"In societies with a high level of civilization, where the focus is on the future and there are large projects and goals, the safest places during an earthquake are the homes of those societies."
I hope you and your family spend many beautiful years in earthquake-resistant homes. Happy New Year!