Seismic Base Isolators Campaign - Sismik Izolasyon Kampanyasi Ingilizce Metin
Seismic Base Isolators must be a standard and mandatory application in regions prone to earthquakes, regions with high earthquake coefficients, this is a call to urge authorities to act and raise awareness in citizens.
1) Turkiye is situated between three tectonic plates and is situated on some of the most dangerous and active fault lines in the world. To accept and acknowledge that earthquakes are a permanent reality of this country and to take the necessary precautions are responsibilities of all Turkish citizens.
2) Many countries that are prone to earthquakes such as, Japan, Philippines and Chile, have regulated their construction codes with the premise of being an earthquake country and applied strict sanctions to those who did not adhere to the said rules.
3) For countries who are situated on active fault lines, the best construction technique for safer buildings is seismic base isolators.
4) Seismic Base Isolator is a supportive element that helps reduce the damage potential of the earthquakes when applied to the structures. In summary, when an earthquake creates a resonance on the ground, seismic base isolators attenuate (reduce) the horizontal (seismic) forces that are transferred to the building. For example, the impact of an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude will reduce to 5.1, by isolating the building from the forces generated from the earthquake. The state-of-the-art building method to mitigate the risks of a severe earthquake to structures is seismic base isolators. With the use of seismic base isolators, even if the building was not designed and built to withhold a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, by installing seismic base isolators, with less disruption to inhabitants and investment required, the building can be strengthened and become compliant. Seismic base isolators are a practical and applicable solution.
5) This technique should be mandatory firstly on public buildings such as hospitals, city halls, schools and also in residential and private buildings.
6) Seismic Base Isolators are an economic solution. Seismic base isolators are feasible to be applied in structures in in developing countries. The Seismic Base Isolators cost around 10% of the amount spent for the columns and beams of a structure. In structures that are supported by seismic isolators, complete damage prevention is expected. While in the conventional techniques used to date, even when a building abides by the existing construction codes, permanent damage is expected and the structure becoming unusable is inevitable. The intention behind using Seismic Base Isolators is not only ensuring the residents leave the building in alive, but also minimize the economic impact of earthquakes.
7) Additionally, the cost incurred after an earthquake is far beyond the investment required to take a proactive approach with Seismic Base Isolators. Not including the humanitarian aspect, which is immeasurable in terms of cost. Incurring 10 units of cost after the earthquake, can be avoided by investing 1 unit.
8) To stop earthquake related catastrophes that occurred in recent history, moving away from conventional building techniques is a must of living in this geography.
9)To lay the foundations of a sound future, from a humanitarian and economic point of view, adopting seismic base isolators and updating building codes to enforce widespread use of seismic base isolators is essential.
Lessons learned from the Kahramanmaras Earthquake make it very clear that Seismic Base Isolators must be a natural part of the structures that form our cities. For example, if a similar earthquake occurs on North Anatolian Fault line which passes through Istanbul, irreparable damage may occur. This is a matter of national security for Turkiye. When population density and economic activity (the fact that 45% of tax collected in Turkey is from Istanbul) of the region, it becomes obvious that the impact of a similar earthquake in terms of death toll, destruction and economic impact, will be beyond repair.
All citizens and lovers of Turkiye, this is the time to take action, to influence the destiny of the region and the country, to lay a sustainable foundation for current inhabitants and future generations to come, I urge and invite you to support this campaign.
Şule Gazioğlu