Seismicity of East Anatolian of Turkey and Failures of Infill Walls Induced by Major Earthquakes

There are three major fault zones in Turkey scattered around the country known as East Anatolian Fault (EAF), North Anatolian Fault (NAF) and Anatolian-Aegean Subduction Zone (AASZ). Last two decades, EAF has been rather quiescent compared with NAF. However, this quiescence was broken in the beginning of the millennium. The strong shaking was started in 2003 with Bingöl earthquake (Mw = 6.3) and the last earthquake on the EAF is the Sivrice-Elazığ (Mw = 6.8) on January 24, 2020. Strong seismicity of these faults damaged the structures severely and caused death of the habitants. This study aims to present, seismotectonic of the region, general characteristics of the earthquakes and more specifically to report structural damage of infill walls of the structure’s damages caused by these earthquakes. Damage evaluation and identification of the observed infill wall damages due to 2003 Bingöl, 2011 Van earthquakes and January 24, 2020 Sivrice-Elazığ earthquake occurred Turkey’s Eastern region, were presented, and possible solutions were suggested. Moreover, the effects of the infill walls on the behavior of structures under static and dynamic load cases are discussed that experienced in these earthquakes. Damages are classified according to formations such as in-plane or out-of-plane, evaluations and the results obtained from the discussions are presented for each category.

Analysis of October 23 (Mw 7.2) and November 9 (Mw 5.6), 2011 Van Earthquakes Using Long-Term GNSS Time Series

The eastern Anatolia provides one of the best examples of an area of rapid deformation and intense contraction that is the consequence of an active continental collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates leading to large and devastating earthquakes. The latest evidence of the active tectonism in the region is revealed by two remarkable seismic events; Van-Tabanli (Mw 7.2, October 23, 2011) and Van-Edremit (Mw 5.6, November 9, 2011) earthquakes. The study of the earthquake cycle and observation of geodetic and seismic deformation in this region is very important to hazard assessments. In this study, the inter-seismic, co-seismic, and post-seismic movements caused by the above-mentioned earthquakes were investigated using the time series of 2300 days of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) observations of the local stations selected from the network of the Continuously Operating Reference Stations, Turkey (CORS-TR). For the inter-seismic period, approximately 1100 daily data were obtained from 21 CORS-TR stations (prior to the earthquakes between October 1, 2008 and October 23, 2011) and evaluated using the GAMIT/GLOBK software. The behaviour of these stations was investigated by processing 1 Hz data from the GNSS stations during the earthquakes on the GAMIT/TRACK software. In addition to October 23 and November 9, the GNSS data on one day before and after the earthquakes was assessed to determine co-seismic deformations. During the October 23 earthquake, hanging-wall deformation of about 60 mm was detected in the SW direction at the MURA station. However, at the VAAN station, deformation of 200 mm (value predicted by time series) was observed in the footwall block in the NW direction. There were not any significant changes at the stations during the November 9 earthquake. For the post-seismic period, the GNSS data from 2012 to 2015 was evaluated. According to the observations, post-seismic deformation continued at the stations close to the epicenter of the earthquake.

An Experimental Study of RC Beams with Varying Concrete Strength Classes Externally Strengthened with CFRP Composites

It is known that the vast majority of buildings in Turkey are made out of reinforced concrete (RC). The 1999 Kocaeli and Düzce, the 2010 Elazig, and the 2011 Van earthquakes that occurred in Turkey revealed that the most significant factor in causing damage to buildings, or their collapse, was the use of low quality concretes, i.e., concretes with low strength values, in their construction This reveals that the load bearing members of these structures should be reinforced against the effects of possible earthquakes. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) usage on the behavior of beams made out of low strength concrete. Within the scope of the study, the results of the experimental and numerical analysis for 14 RC beams, to which CFRP plates were applied on their lower surface, as well as for two reference beams, were presented for the case of collapsing. From the start of the test to the end, load, deflection and deformation data obtained from the beams were collected and then, by the identification of the collapsing mechanism as well as the load-deflection relation, the behavior of the beams was discussed in detail. In the numerical study, moment capacities were obtained for CFRP applied beams with different concrete strength values by using the material properties of the specimens examined in the mechanical test. The results of the numerical analysis were compared with those of the experimental tests, which were found to be consistent with each other.

Mapping action and identity in the Kobani crisis response

This article compares humanitarian operations associated with Turkish state and pro-Kurdish movement actors in response to the large cross-border displacement of Kurdish-Syrians into Turkey from the September 2014 Kobani crisis. Analysis draws on actor mapping methodologies and fieldwork conducted in the Kurdish-majority town of Suruç in southern Turkey. Parallels with the 2011 Van earthquakes highlight the ethno-national complexities and potential controversy encountered when responding to humanitarian needs of predominantly Kurdish populations in Turkey. The alternative territorial identities generated by practices of Kurdish municipal-level “governmentality” (through camp management and humanitarian assistance) trouble the assumed hierarchy between Turkish state authorities and Kurdish challengers.ABSTRACT IN KURMANJIBi nexşekirina çalakî û nasnameyan di hewldanên qeyrana Kobanî de Ev gotar wan hewl û çalakiyên mirovî yên dewleta tirk û akterên hereketa kurdî berawird dike ku di hengava muhacirbûna kurdên Sûriyeyê bo nav Tirkyeyê de, anku dema qeyrana Kobanî ya îlona 2014an, hatine encamdan. Tehlîlên gotarê xwe dispêrine metodên bi nexşekirina akteran û xebata meydanî li Suruça piranî kurdnişîn. Hevterîb ligel zelzeleyên Wanê yên 2011an, gotar îşaretê bi hebûna aloziyên qewmî-neteweyî û dubendiyên cor bi cor dike gava li Tirkiyeyê hewl ji bo qetandina pêdiviyên jiyanî yên kom û xelkên kurd tên dan. Nasnameyên herêmî yên alternatîv ku encama siyaset û kiryarên “hukûmraniya” kurdî ya di asta şaredariyan de ne (bi rêya rêvebirina kempan û arîkariyên mirovî) zorê dide wê hiyerarşiya ferazî ya di navbera rayedarên dewleta tirk û berhelistkarên kurd de.ABSTRACT IN SORANI

An Experimental Study of RC Beams with Varying Concrete Strength Classes Externally Strengthened with CFRP Composites

It is known that the vast majority of buildings in Turkey are made out of reinforced concrete (RC). The 1999 Kocaeli and Düzce, the 2010 Elaziğ, and the 2011 Van earthquakes that occurred in Turkey revealed that the most significant factor in causing damage to buildings, or their collapse, was the use of low quality concretes, i.e., concretes with low strength values, in their construction This reveals that the load bearing members of these structures should be reinforced against the effects of possible earthquakes. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) usage on the behavior of beams made out of low strength concrete. Within the scope of the study, the results of the experimental and numerical analysis for 14 RC beams, to which CFRP plates were applied on their lower surface, as well as for two reference beams, were presented for the case of collapsing. From the start of the test to the end, load, deflection and deformation data obtained from the beams were collected and then, by the identification of the collapsing mechanism as well as the load-deflection relation, the behavior of the beams was discussed in detail. In the numerical study, moment capacities were obtained for CFRP applied beams with different concrete strength values by using the material properties of the specimens examined in the mechanical test. The results of the numerical analysis were compared with those of the experimental tests, which were found to be consistent with each other.

From Emergency Response to Recovery: Multiple Impacts and Lessons Learned from the 2011 Van Earthquakes

On 23 October 2011, and then on 9 November 2011, two earthquakes struck the province of Van in eastern Turkey. One month after the first earthquake, between 25 November and 27 November 2011, a reconnaissance team from the Middle East Technical University, Disaster Management Implementation and Research Center (METU DMC) visited the region. The team focused on disaster management activities such as emergency relief, damage assessment, psychosocial support, and economic impacts. Field observations and personal interviews concluded that deficits in mitigation led to shortcomings in the response and rehabilitation operations in Van. Although search and rescue activities were evaluated as satisfactory, there were problems in the organization of support services, temporary accommodation, and delivery of basic needs. This paper presents a reconnaissance report outlining the observations of the interdisciplinary team in the field. It suggests some policies for improvement in the disaster management system in the future.