The earthquake insulated building will be completely separated from the ground and a gap will remain around the building, since it is built in such a way that it can move freely in all directions during a possible earthquake. This gap must be crossed with all-round joints. Again, standard joints produced for such applications can be found in the market.
Drawings and photos of sample joint details will be attached here.
None of the earthquake isolation devices alone have an effect against the vertical component of the earthquake. If extra precautions are to be taken against vertical earthquakes, it is mandatory to use extra special damping systems in addition to the earthquake isolator. On the other hand, the effects of vertical components of earthquakes on both structural and non-structural elements are much lower than horizontal components. Considering this, according to the results of the structural analysis, it is decided whether or not to take measures against vertical earthquakes and as a result, extra special devices are used if necessary.
In buildings that are planned to be built with earthquake isolators, the building must be designed and modeled with isolator starting from the architecture. For example, the dimensions of the columns where insulators will be placed should be adjusted by calculations and the general architecture should be determined in a way that is suitable for the insulator application. The architectural approach and design in buildings with and without insulators are different from each other, and an insulator cannot be applied to an architecture that is planned and prepared without an insulator. For this reason, a building for which an earthquake isolator is planned should be solved with an appropriate architecture from the beginning.
The basic points to be considered in terms of architecture in earthquake insulated buildings are available in the file named “Architecture in Earthquake Insulated Buildings – General Approach Principles”.
After the architectural solutions of the building are adjusted to be compatible with the earthquake isolator application, static calculations can be made more effectively. Similarly, static calculations should be made with structural analysis programs that have earthquake isolator models, the capacity to perform linear and nonlinear analyzes and have proven themselves in this field.
Before static calculations begin, published by AFAD be taken from Turkey Earthquake Hazard Map design spectrum together with site-specific seismic hazard analysis also be outsourced to experts and concerned the structure of the accounts should be started thereafter.
The basic points to be considered during static modeling and analysis in earthquake insulated buildings are available in the file named “Static Modeling in Earthquake Insulated Buildings – General Approach Principles”.
Earthquake-proof structures fall under the category of “special building”. In this context, T.C. The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization requires working with predetermined experts during the design and implementation stages of special buildings. According to this system called “Design Supervision (TGUA in Turkish)”, when it comes to an earthquake insulated building, it is mandatory to work with design supervisors at both the site-specific earthquake hazard analysis (TGUA-1) and the design of the earthquake insulated structure (TGUA-5). Design supervisors are responsible for checking and approving the calculations made in the relevant areas.
Design Supervisor for detailed information about the system, enacted on Official Gazette dated 11.01.2019 “Turkey Earthquake Building Regulation Communiqué Regarding the Scope of Things Design Surveillance and Control Service” is found in the document says.
It is very important that the insulators are installed in the relevant places in the field by the expert teams in this field. The assembly of these devices should be done very precisely and carefully. Otherwise, no matter how correct design and production is made, it is very difficult to return an error that will occur during assembly.
Field assembly application examples will be added here.
When earthquake isolation is applied to a building, it cannot be expected that a size or reinforcement savings will be achieved in structural elements. In some cases, savings such as reducing the size of the superstructure elements and the amount of reinforcement may be in question, but this may vary for each structure and must be checked with calculations.
In buildings with earthquake isolation, the need for shear walls is reduced or completely eliminated.
Square columns and beam frames should be preferred instead of thin and long column / shear wall type carrier systems and floor without beams in seismically isolated structures.
Earthquake isolation can be used not only in new constructions but also on existing structures. However, beforehand, an expert team must make an assessment in order to understand whether the building is suitable for strengthening with earthquake isolation. After the preliminary checks by the expert team, if there is no obstacle in reinforcement with isolator; It starts with determining the concrete quality of the existing structure (with current core purchases and material tests) and understanding the structural system of the building. Then, the building is modeled with an earthquake isolator and analyzed. Meanwhile, the strength and dimension checks of the structural elements on the floor and ceiling of the floor where the isolator will be applied and the columns are also checked and the strengthening requirement in the structural elements is determined. As a result of these operations, the scope of the construction works to be carried out during the reinforcement of the building with isolator is also determined. Most of the procedures written above are the work that should be done when a retrofit without an isolator is already planned. Regardless of isolator production and assembly, with the determination of the construction works to be carried out, whether the isolator can be reinforced and the final costs of the work are revealed.
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