After the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the topic of seismic safety continues to be discussed across Turkey. Many residents have begun checking whether their buildings are earthquake-resistant. Municipalities are receiving a large number of applications for seismic risk assessments in this process. How much does it cost to strengthen earthquake-prone buildings? The president of the Earthquake Strengthening Association, Sinan Türkkan, explained the costs of making risky buildings earthquake resistant.
Is My Building Earthquake-Resistant?
Following the disaster in Kahramanmaraş that caused extensive destruction across 11 provinces, people have begun questioning the structural integrity of buildings. The Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, summarized nationwide inspections: “We examined 1,316,000 buildings across Turkey and determined that 534,000 independent units and 173,000 buildings are heavily damaged, collapsed, or require urgent demolition.” He noted that buildings with severe damage must be demolished, while those with moderate or minor damage can be strengthened without demolition.
Applications for Risk Analysis Increase
Discussion about whether buildings are earthquake-resistant is no longer limited to the quake-affected region; it has spread across the country. Before strengthening works start, municipalities carry out seismic risk analyses. Especially in the Marmara Region, there has been an increase in risk-assessment applications submitted to municipalities. Sinan Türkkan, president of the Earthquake Strengthening Association (DEGÜDER), spoke about bringing an average building up to seismic standards.
70% of Risky Buildings Can Be Strengthened
Türkkan stated that of the estimated 8 million at-risk buildings nationwide, around 70% can be strengthened relatively easily. He summarized the strengthening process: “First, the reinforcement inside the columns was identified, then cores were taken from non-reinforced areas. Surfaces were stripped and foundation analyses were carried out. Soil studies were performed. The building was then designed as one that can be strengthened.”
Average Cost: 250,000 TL Per Apartment
Describing the strengthening work, Türkkan explained that brick walls are removed and concrete shear walls are applied. “The strengthening itself is completed at approximately 250,000 TL per apartment. However, after the work is done, residents often want to replace fixtures, window frames and floor flooring. Those additional finishes add roughly 100,000–150,000 TL per apartment in extra costs,” he said.