Tanyer Construction Ground Group Coordinator Civil Engineer Batuhan Tozburun said that the first priority of the construction sector in Izmir, which is located on active fault lines, should be urban transformation.
Stating that the earthquake threat is one of the primary problems of our country, Tozburun said, “Soil and foundation engineering (geotechnical) productions are of vital importance in urban transformation for sustainable urbanism and extending the lifespan of the building stock.”
Underlining that soil engineering companies should have many features at once, Batuhan Tozburun said, “Contractors requesting soil improvement should check whether the company they will work with has sufficient team, equipment and risky work. In fact, I think that companies with these qualities should also be given an authorization certificate. We have very important experience and references in the sector, and personnel with both technical knowledge and experience. We can offer different services to companies as a turnkey service from a single source. Thus, the contractors we serve deal with a single company instead of different companies. We also gain an advantage in terms of service quality and speed.”
WORKING WITH EXPERIENCED COMPANIES
Tozburun also underlined that in order for the buildings to be completed within their useful life, contractors should carry out ground improvement works together with competent, skilled companies with strong machinery.
Reminding that a significant portion of the population in Izmir resides in the city center and close to the sea, Batuhan Tozburun said, “The ground in districts close to the sea has a structure that is more prone to liquefaction. When the earthquake amplification values of the ground are examined, it is calculated that the amplification value is between 1,31-2,15 in Izmir. This value gives us the information that the ground under the structure can amplify a possible earthquake wave up to 2 times. The 2020 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Seferihisar in 6,6 Bayraklı and we all experienced the damage it caused to our Bornova regions both materially and morally. When we look at this data, ground and foundation engineering productions are of great importance for sustainable urbanization and extending the life of our buildings thanks to urban transformation.”
THE PROBABILITY OF AN EARTHQUAKE OF 50 G AND BELOW IN 6,6 YEARS IS 92 PERCENT
Sharing the information that according to the records made in the historical period and the instrumental period in the 20th century in İzmir and its surroundings, the probability of an earthquake of 50 g or less within a 6,6-year period is estimated as 92%, Tozburun made the following statements: “Based on this information, it is expected that the expected earthquake range in İzmir and its surroundings will remain between 50 and 6,0 in the 6,6-year lifespan of the structure. The foundation in İzmir and its vicinity is formed by sedimentary rocks belonging to the Bornova complex. Lacustrine sediments consist of conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, claystone, marl and clayey limestone from bottom to top. In addition, the ground class and underground water level cause liquefaction in the ground under earthquake load and the instant decrease in the foundation bearing capacity causes the building to tilt, rendering it unusable.”
GROUND WORKS EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE BUILDING
Stating that ground improvements constitute 20 to 30 percent of the building cost, Tozburun pointed out that if these improvements are made as required, the cost of the remaining 70 percent is also protected.
Batuhan Tozburun continued his words as follows: “Soil improvement works are an important factor in protecting the lives and properties of both the construction company and the homeowner. If the necessary importance is not given to the ground of a building worth millions of liras, that building becomes more vulnerable to earthquakes and other effects. If these works are planned from the beginning and experienced ground companies are worked with, a significant advantage is gained in the medium and long term. Istanbul is the financial center of Türkiye. All major companies and banks are located there. In a possible earthquake, we can suffer great losses as a country, both materially and morally. Izmir is at risk as a city located in a first-degree earthquake zone. Urgent steps should be taken by local governments and the government to raise awareness of the citizens on this issue. Along with urban transformation, the old and earthquake-resistant housing stock should be transformed on an island basis as soon as possible.”
OUR PEOPLE SHOULD BE RAISED AWARENESS FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES
Tozburun, who noted that conscious contractors are needed for sustainable cities and that the families who will use these residences should be informed correctly, said, “I think that not doing enough or not doing the ground improvement works properly may cause greater damage to our country’s equity capital and our people in the coming years. We can achieve a sustainable city by doing quality control of the ground reinforcement works such as bored pile, jet-grout, barrette pile, which are the first works in urban transformation and proper city planning. Our ground improvement works in accordance with the earthquake regulation, TSE, Eurocode and American standards should continue without slowing down in projects that will add value to Izmir. Our mission in urban transformation should be to provide reliable, analytical and economical solutions in solving foundation and ground engineering problems.”
