Structural Failures of Adobe Buildings during the February 2023 Kahramanmaraş (Türkiye) Earthquakes

Abstract

Türkiye experienced great destruction during the Kahramanmaraş earthquake couple which occurred as Pazarcık (Mw = 7.7) and Elbistan (Mw = 7.6) on 6 February 2023. The weak structural characteristics and the magnitude of the earthquakes caused more than 50,000 casualties. Significant damage occurred in both urban and rural building stock in 11 different provinces that were primarily affected by the earthquakes. The dominant building stock is masonry structures in the rural areas of the earthquake region. Structural damages at various levels have occurred in adobe masonry structures built using local labours and resources without any engineering service. The main purpose of this study is to examine the failure and collapse mechanisms of adobe structures after Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in detail. First of all, information about both earthquakes was given. The earthquake intensity for all provinces was obtained by using the peak ground acceleration-intensity relation suggested for Türkiye, taking into account the measured PGAs in earthquakes. The observed structural damages were evaluated in terms of earthquake and civil engineering in adobe structures. Damage classification was conducted using European Macro-Seismic Scale (EMS-98) for a total of 100 adobe buildings. Of these structures, 25% were destroyed, 49% were heavily damaged, 15% were damaged moderately, and 11% were damaged slightly. In addition, the rules regarding adobe structures were compared considering the last two earthquake design codes used in Türkiye. In the study, suggestions were also presented to prevent structural damage in the adobe buildings in the earthquake region. Low strength of adobe material, usage of heavy earthen roofs, failure to comply with earthquake-resistant building design principles, and insufficient support of load-bearing walls are the main causes of damage.

Achieving Intensity Distributions of 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş (Türkiye) Earthquakes from Peak Ground Acceleration Records

“…As a result of the earthquakes, the most structural destruction and loss of life occurred in the Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Adıyaman provinces. Particularly in rural areas, masonry structures, which are the dominant building stock, reinforced concrete structures, which are the dominant city building stock, mosques and minarets, transportation, and infrastructure facilities have suffered huge demolitions, and as a result, huge economic losses have occurred [45][46][47]. The destruction caused these earthquakes to be recorded as the most devastating earthquakes in the country.…”

The Effect of Material Quality on Buildings Moderately and Heavily Damaged by the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

“…Previous studies conducted in earthquake zones have documented the use of cheap workmanship and poor-quality materials [61]. Such investigations have shown that the earthquake regulations in these zones were not followed [62,63].…”

Analysis of Peak Ground Acceleration Attenuation Characteristics in the Pazarcik Earthquake, Türkiye

“…The successive occurrence of earthquakes caused an increase in the loss of both lives and property. More than 500,000 structures suffered structural damage at different levels, while more than 50,000 people died [14]. Both earthquakes significantly affected 11 different provinces, such as Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Adıyaman, Malatya, Adana, Osmaniye, Kilis, Sanlıurfa, Gaziantep, Osmaniye, and Diyarbakır [14].…”