The Effect of Material Quality on Buildings Moderately and Heavily Damaged by the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Abstract

On 6 February 2023, two major earthquakes occurred in the Turkish province of Kahramanmaraş. The first earthquake with a magnitude of Mw 7.7 occurred in the center of Kahramanmaras, while the second earthquake with a magnitude of Mw 7.5 occurred in the region of Elbistan. These earthquakes caused heavy damage and loss of life in the affected regions. In particular, the Elbistan region experienced both earthquakes with great severity. Following the earthquakes, damage analyses were carried out on the earthquake-affected structures in this region. In the region, 1045 buildings were destroyed, 2640 buildings were heavily damaged, and 463 buildings were moderately damaged by the earthquakes. In this study, the relation between the material quality and the damage status of the affected buildings in the Elbistan region was investigated. A total of 20 buildings with heavy and moderate damage, built both before and after the year 2000, were selected for analysis. Samples were taken from these buildings, and the compressive strength values of the samples were obtained. Further, in situ experiments featuring the Schmidt and UPV tests were performed in the buildings. The results found that the buildings lacked adequate concrete strength. In particular, the post-2000 structures recorded concrete strength values below the established standard. This study proves the necessity of following established regulations in the design and construction of buildings in earthquake-prone zones, especially with respect to the construction materials used.

Geotechnical and Structural Damages Caused by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes in Gölbaşı (Adıyaman)

“…Avcil [22] examined the damages caused by earthquakes on prefabricated structures. Zengin and Aydın [23] examined the effect of material properties on earthquake damage in the case of Elbistan. Karaşin [24] evaluated the effects of the earthquake in Diyarbakır province, especially taking into account the reinforcement effect.…”

Field Reconnaissance and Earthquake Vulnerability of the RC Buildings in Adıyaman during 2023 Türkiye Earthquakes

“…Işık [24] evaluated the damage caused to adobe buildings in the earthquake zone. Zengin and Aydın [25] and Vuran et al [26] investigated the effect of the quality of RC structures on structural damage in the earthquake region. Karaşin [27] evaluated the damage in RC structures in the province of Diyarbakır.…”

Investigation of the Causes of Soft-Storey and Weak-Storey Formations in Low- and Mid-Rise RC Buildings in Türkiye

“…Türkiye is situated across active earthquake fault zones, including the North Anatolian Fault, the East Anatolian Fault, and the West Anatolian Fault Zone, which have the potential to cause devastating earthquakes. The North Anatolian Fault and the East Anatolian Fault are among the most seismically active faults in the world with the shortest return periods [1][2][3]. In recent years, earthquakes caused by these faults have led to the deaths and injuries of thousands of people and the collapse or damage of numerous buildings [4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the causes of damage to buildings following earthquakes [2,. Researchers have identified the primary causes of building damage as ground failures, soil liquefaction, poor concrete strength quality, unribbed reinforcement steel, poor detailing in beam-column joints, strong beam-weak columns, soft or weak storeys, inadequate transverse reinforcement, the existence of short lap splices and incorrect end hook angles, short columns, weak walls, inadequate safe distance between buildings, unconfined gable walls, concrete slab failures, and insulation materials.…”