Engineering practices suitable for the ground should be used!

High-rise buildings, where many people lost their lives in 11 provinces affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, brought to the agenda the importance of projects compliant with regulations and standards in construction and engineering in every region of Turkey. Dr. Nuri Bingöl noted that soil mechanics and behavior should be thoroughly examined in high-rise buildings, drawing attention to the use of engineering practices suitable for the ground. Bingöl also added that buildings should not be constructed as high-rise in areas prone to liquefaction.  

What should be considered in the construction of high-rise buildings?

Dr. Nuri Bingöl, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Üsküdar Üniversitesi and OHS specialist, made evaluations regarding the precautions that should be taken against possible earthquakes in high-rise buildings.

Reminding that soil selection is crucial in high-rise buildings, Dr. Nuri Bingöl stated that a risk assessment should first be conducted through collaborative work in accordance with the relevant engineering discipline.

Soil mechanics and behavior should be thoroughly examined

Dr. Nuri Bingöl noted that the priority is for multi-story high-rise buildings to be constructed on geologically sound ground. “However, considering the fact that sound ground is not available in every region and our country is an earthquake-prone country, it is not always possible to find sound ground. In this case, it is possible to construct multi-story buildings by selecting ground reinforcement and sound ground reaching methods such as pile driving and shotcrete application, using advanced construction technologies to ensure the building foundation reaches solid ground. Therefore, soil mechanics and behavior should be thoroughly examined during the planning and project phase, and multi-story buildings should be constructed according to these examinations. The use of seismic isolators to dampen potential tremors will also be among the good examples in practice,” he said.

Projects must be fully adhered to in high-rise buildings

Dr. Nuri Bingöl also touched upon the points to consider in the construction of high-rise buildings, stating, “In the construction of high-rise buildings, the building project should be designed with the most accurate static calculations in accordance with relevant legislation, standards, and civil engineering science. During construction, this project must be strictly adhered to, especially regarding the concrete class, application, and curing used in reinforced concrete structural elements such as shear walls, columns, beams, and slabs, and the reinforcement steel must be of the appropriate class and sufficient physical conditions without compromise. The implementation of the project must be ensured through adequate and effective supervision by building inspection organizations.”

It is important for the contractor company to provide accurate engineering services

Dr. Nuri Bingöl stated that the contractors of high-rise buildings must also be competent and qualified to implement such a project, adding, “In addition to external supervision like building inspection, it is important for the contractor company to provide accurate engineering services and continuously supervise its implementations through internal audits. On-site interventions, when necessary, will prevent many issues such as errors, connection deficiencies, and reinforcement problems. The insulation issue of building foundations is also critical. In this regard, during the project phase and foundation construction, the situation must be kept under control by receiving continuous engineering services from the outset to prevent the ground or basement floors, i.e., the foundation, from taking in water in the future.”

Horizontal architecture should be preferred

Dr. Nuri Bingöl noted that buildings should not be constructed as high-rise in areas where liquefaction occurs, stating, “Construction in accordance with engineering requirements should be a priority. Fulfilling the requirements of science and engineering is important under all conditions, including buildings to be constructed on liquefiable soils. Engineering practices suitable for the ground must be used. Horizontal architecture should be preferred. Engineering calculations and application techniques can also determine how many stories buildings can have under similar conditions, depending on the ground situation.”

Compliance with regulations and standards reduces risks

Dr. Nuri Bingöl stated that no building constructed according to technical requirements, providing the minimum project conditions prepared in accordance with relevant regulations and standards, would pose a danger, regardless of its height. “Even a single-story structure that does not meet these conditions poses a danger. High-rise buildings can be constructed to withstand severe tremors during an earthquake, provided that engineering requirements are met and they are built in accordance with standards. Let's not forget that there are many buildings constructed with steel frames. As long as they are also supported by seismic isolators during the construction phase, the tremor levels in high-rise buildings will decrease, and these high-rise buildings will demonstrate resistance to these reduced tremor levels,” he said.