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Turkey Earthquake

Quantifying Seismic Resilience and Environmental Impacts of Base Isolated Buildings Near Active Faults

Photo by Çağlar Oskay

During recent Turkey earthquakes, at least 15 conventional hospitals have suffered partial or severe damage. New hospitals in the region are expected to be built in near future. There is also increased awareness on the potential benefits of isolation systems in Turkey and many other essential facilities in the regions affected by recent earthquakes are expected to be designed with isolation systems. Furthermore, some parts of the affected region host a large population of Syrian refugees and the European Union has funded the establishment of health facilities that employed isolation systems in the region. As the need for such facilities is increasing, the construction of such essential facilities is highly likely in the region in near future. This research will evaluate environmental value of implementing seismic isolation systems into design and construction of essential facilities in near fault regions. Properly designed buildings will not only require no or minimal repair needs of structural systems and ensure building integrity and functionality after a seismic event, but also will improve sustainability of constructed facilities facing strong seismic hazards. Finding of this study is expected to promote the use of advanced building technologies such as isolation systems towards achieving resilient and sustainable communities.

This research aims to integrate environmental impact assessment into seismic performance assessment of RC buildings designed with conventional methods and seismic base isolation systems. The research will compute the carbon footprint of the structural system based on basic design information and site-specific seismic hazard, i.e., considering pulse-like characteristics of ground motion records, and analyze the potential advantages of an enhanced seismic system quantitatively. Integrating performance-based design and life cycle assessment methodologies leverages the tools developed in prior work. In earthquake-prone regions, such as Turkey, the carbon emissions associated with damage resulting in demolition, repair and reconstruction can be significant. Currently, seismic isolation systems are considered as improved design methodology from structural performance point of view, while there is limited information regarding the potential environmental benefits of such systems.

The PI will collaborate with his colleagues in Turkey to obtain more information about the location, design, seismic hazards, and seismic performance of isolated buildings at the affected region. Then, the acquired information will be incorporated into the developed numerical models and the performance of these buildings will be further evaluated considering environmental impacts. Finding of this study will help stakeholders in the decision-making process of selecting structural systems that minimize economic losses, downtime, casualties, and environmental impacts due to strong earthquakes while revealing trade-offs among design alternatives. 

Project Team

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photo of Osman Ozbulut
Osman
Ozbulut
Associate Professor, Engineering Systems and Environment
University of Virginia
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