Poor Building Construction Played Major Role in Turkey Deaths: ‘History Is Repeating’

By Eric Niiler
Wall Street Journal
February 7, 2023
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: International

Outside engineering experts believe the collapse of so many buildings throughout Turkey was caused by poor construction practices that should have been upgraded since a similar quake struck the region 24 years ago. …More than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, including some schools, hospitals, roads and other critical structures. …In 1999, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Turkey, killing an estimated 17,000 residents. After that disaster, leaders promised tougher building practices… “A building normally should behave in a ductile way, that means it can sway and accommodate a large deformation without collapsing,” Dr. P. Benson Shing, at the University of California San Diego said. “That applies to any kind of construction, whether it’s reinforced concrete, steel, or reinforced masonry or wood structures.” …“The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and low-rise non ductile concrete frame with infill construction,” according to the USGS assessment. [Access to this story requires a Wall Street Journal subscription]

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