In the wake of the devastating 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, a beacon of resilience emerged in the form of a reinforced concrete (RC) dual-system building that stood unscathed amidst the rubble of its collapsed neighbors. This remarkable survival story has been meticulously documented in a recent study led by Zeliha Tonyağlı from Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, published in the *Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering* (which translates to *Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering* in English).
The case study building, designed according to the Turkish guidelines (TEC 2007), not only withstood the tremors but also experienced negligible damage, sparking a wave of interest in the construction industry. “The building’s resilience can be largely attributed to its high wall index and lateral stiffness,” Tonyağlı explained. “These factors played a crucial role in its ability to withstand seismic forces that felled its neighbors.”
The research team modeled the building in SAP2000®, subjecting it to rigorous pushover and nonlinear time-history analyses (NTHAs) using real ground motions recorded during the first and strongest mainshock of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes (Mw = 7.7 Pazarcik earthquake). The results were striking: the maximum inter-story drift (IDR) ratios on all floors remained below the Immediate Occupancy performance level (IDR = 1.0%).
This study underscores the importance of site-specific ground motion selection, particularly in seismic zones like Hatay province, where seismic demands exhibited significant variability and intensity. “Understanding the local seismic context is vital for designing buildings that can truly withstand the forces of nature,” Tonyağlı emphasized.
The implications for the construction industry are profound. The findings suggest that buildings designed with a high wall index and lateral stiffness can offer superior seismic resilience, even in the face of earthquakes exceeding design scenarios. This could revolutionize building codes and practices, particularly in seismic zones, ensuring safer structures and potentially reducing the economic and human toll of future earthquakes.
For the energy sector, the insights gleaned from this study could inform the design and construction of critical infrastructure, such as power plants and transmission towers, which must remain operational during and after seismic events. The commercial impact could be significant, as companies invest in more resilient structures to minimize downtime and protect their assets.
As the construction industry grapples with the aftermath of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, this study offers a glimmer of hope and a roadmap for building a more resilient future. “Our findings highlight the importance of adopting advanced design practices and understanding local seismic conditions,” Tonyağlı concluded. “This is not just about surviving earthquakes; it’s about building communities that can thrive in their wake.”