ELAZIG GUNISIGI NEWSPAPER – August 2011
THE QUESTIONS YOU’VE ASKED - 2
I will continue from where I left off in my previous article. The questions received from both our citizens and colleagues actually summarize the points I wanted to emphasize. I would like to sincerely thank you for your valuable contributions.
QUESTION: Where is the safest place to be in a house during an earthquake?
ANSWER: This question should be answered in two parts. The first is for those who live in a building with sufficient seismic resistance. If you are in such a house, you should simply stay away from items that could fall on you; the exact location within the house (except balconies) is not as important. The problem arises in the second case, where the building has insufficient seismic resistance. These buildings behave differently depending on many factors when exposed to seismic forces. Therefore, I believe it is not appropriate to give a general recommendation for where to be inside a house during an earthquake. Frankly, the best thing to do is to ensure that your building is earthquake-resistant before the earthquake happens.
QUESTION: What is the level of earthquake safety for the existing building stock in Elazığ?
ANSWER: Up until now, no specific assessment of the earthquake resistance of buildings in Elazığ has been made. In fact, this assessment is part of urban transformation. The first step in urban transformation is to create a structural seismic risk map of the city center. This map will reveal the true condition of the buildings and will necessitate the implementation of required actions. Based on the studies conducted by the Department of Civil Engineering at Fırat University in our city and region, it can be said that a significant portion of the buildings constructed before 2000 have inadequate earthquake resistance. On April 7, 2010, the Günışığı newspaper attempted to illustrate the general structural earthquake resistance of our province with photos.
QUESTION: Recently constructed buildings do not have basement floors. What impact does this have during an earthquake?
ANSWER: There is no mandatory rule that basement floors must be below ground level. However, especially in areas with weak soil and liquefaction risk, it would be appropriate for basement floors to be below ground. I say this based on earthquake experiences. In many earthquakes, buildings with basements were able to survive with minor damage, while nearby buildings without basements suffered moderate to severe damage. Basement floors interact well with the ground and tend to perform better during earthquakes. Therefore, our recommendation is for basement floors to be below ground level.
QUESTION: What benefits will the newly started overpass intersections bring to traffic in our city?
ANSWER: A good road design should meet certain conditions. These are: the road should be functional and convenient, safe, economical, and aesthetically pleasing. Especially due to traffic density, overpass intersections are becoming inevitable. When the types and frequencies of accidents on highways are examined, it becomes clear that violations of right-of-way rules at intersections are a significant cause of accidents. To ensure the highest level of traffic safety, both on intercity roads and within residential areas, the overpass intersections that have been or will be built should have the necessary technical specifications. Overpass intersections designed according to standards will significantly relieve and secure traffic.
I will continue answering the questions you are curious about as much as I can. If you have any questions, feel free to send them to me via email at kealyamac@firat.edu.tr. I wish you a blessed Ramadan.