In the aftermath of the 2020 Aegean Sea earthquake, the city of İzmir, Turkey, found itself grappling with the devastating consequences of a magnitude 6.6 quake that struck just off the coast of the Greek island of Samos. The earthquake, which occurred on October 30, 2020, left a trail of destruction, with approximately 6,000 buildings in the Bayraklı District of İzmir Bay suffering severe structural damage or collapse. The findings of a technical team, led by Halit Cenan Mertol, who visited the earthquake-affected areas immediately after the disaster, have been published in the journal ‘Građevinar’, which translates to ‘Civil Engineer’ in English. The team’s observations and findings offer a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in older construction methods and the urgent need for structural evaluations to prevent future disasters.
The earthquake’s epicenter, approximately 16.5 km deep and 35 km southwest of Seferihisar, a town in İzmir, caused significant damage to reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. The team investigated eleven partially or fully collapsed buildings and several severely damaged structures. Their findings revealed that almost all the collapsed or severely damaged buildings were constructed between 1975 and 2000. This period predates the implementation of stricter building codes and regulations, which have since been updated to better withstand seismic activity.
Mertol and his team identified several critical factors contributing to the failures. “The construction of these collapsed or damaged buildings did not conform to the requirements outlined in the Turkish Earthquake Codes used at the time,” Mertol noted. Inadequate reinforcement configuration, poor material quality, the absence of geotechnical studies, and framing problems related to their lateral load-carrying systems were among the primary issues identified.
The commercial impacts of this research are profound, particularly for the energy sector. Many of the damaged buildings in İzmir are part of the city’s infrastructure, including power plants, transmission lines, and other critical facilities. The disruption caused by these collapses can lead to significant downtime and financial losses. For instance, the energy sector relies heavily on stable infrastructure to maintain continuous power supply. Any disruption can lead to cascading failures, affecting not only the energy sector but also other critical services such as healthcare, transportation, and communication.
The findings underscore the importance of retrofitting older buildings to meet current seismic standards. This is not just a matter of structural integrity but also of public safety and economic stability. The energy sector, in particular, must prioritize the evaluation and reinforcement of its infrastructure to ensure resilience against future earthquakes. Mertol’s recommendations are clear: “It is recommended that all the buildings located in and around İzmir Bay, particularly those built between 1975 and 2000, be structurally evaluated to prevent any further loss of life and property during future earthquakes.”
The research published in ‘Građevinar’ serves as a wake-up call for urban planners, engineers, and policymakers. It highlights the need for proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with seismic activity. As cities continue to grow and develop, the lessons learned from the 2020 Aegean Sea earthquake will shape future developments in the field of structural engineering and urban planning. The focus will likely shift towards more robust building codes, advanced materials, and comprehensive geotechnical studies to ensure that future structures can withstand the forces of nature. This research is a critical step towards building a more resilient and sustainable future for cities like İzmir and beyond.