Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seismic performance of buildings during 2011 Van earthquakes and rebuilding efforts

  • Published:
Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The October 23, 2011 M7.2 Tabanli - Van and November 9, 2011 M5.2 Edremit–Van earthquakes caused damage in a widespread area across the Van province in Turkey. The ground motions, the damage caused by these earthquakes and the recent progress related to recovery efforts are presented herein. First, the key properties of the recorded strong ground motions like spectral amplitudes and directionality are evaluated. The observed damage in the affected reinforced concrete and masonry structures are discussed. The set of common structural damage mechanisms (i.e., soft story failure, torsional response due to plan irregularity, short column failure, pull out failure, pounding) observed in the damaged buildings were identified. The relationship between the key structural properties and the extent of damage is investigated. The primary loss drivers across the region were identified to be the poor quality of workmanship and improper use of building materials. The results from the investigation suggest that a large portion of the loss could have been prevented if sufficient attention and care were given to the implementation of the design regulations and in particular to the construction practice. Lastly, the recent progress in the ongoing rebuilding activities is presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AFAD (2011a), Van Earthquake Report-October 23, 2011 - In Turkish, Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Ankara, Turkey. Available online: http: //www.deprem.gov.tr/ [Accessed: March 4th, 2015].

    Google Scholar 

  • AFAD (2011b), Strong Ground Motion Database of Turkey, Earthquake Department, Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Ankara, Turkey. Available online: http://daphne.deprem.gov.tr [Accessed: March 4th, 2015].

    Google Scholar 

  • AFAD (2014), Response, Rehabilitation and Socioeconomic Aspects of 2011 Van Earthquakes -In Turkish, Emergency Management Presidency, Ankara, Turkey. Available online: http://www.deprem.gov.tr/ [Accessed: March 4th, 2015].

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayraktar A, Altunisik AC, and Pehlivan M (2013), “Performance and Damages of Reinforced Concrete Buildings during the October 23 and November 9, 2011 Van, Turkey, Earthquakes,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 53(1): 49–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayülke N (1998), Repair and Strengthening of Earthquake Damaged Structures, Technical Report No. 27, Turkish Civil Engineering Society Izmir Branch, Izmir, Turkey. (In Turkish)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boore DM, Gibbs JF, Joyner WB, Tinsley JC, Ponti DJ (2003), “Estimated Ground Motion from the 1994 Northridge, California Earthquake at the Site of the Interstate 10 and La Cienega Boulevard Bridge collapse, West Los Angeles, California,” Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 93(6): 2737–2751.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CEDIM (2011), Comparing the Current Impact of the Van Earthquake to Past Earthquakes in Eastern Turkey (Report #4), Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM) Forensic Earthquake Analysis Group, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Postdam, Germany. Available online: http://www.cedim.de/ [Accessed: March 4th, 2015].

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole G and Dhakal RP (2012), “Building Pounding Damage Observed in the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake,” Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, 41(5): 893–913.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Luca F, Verderame GM and Manfredi G (2015), “Analytical Versus Observational Fragilities: the Case of Pettino (L’Aquila) Damage Data Database,” Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 13(1): 1161–1181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Luca F, Verderame GM, Gómez-Martínez F and Pérez-García A (2014), “The Structural Role Played by Masonry Infills on RC Building Performances after the 2011 Lorca, Spain, Earthquake,” Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 12(5): 1999–2026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Sarno L (2013), “Effects of Multiple Earthquakes on Inelastic Structural Response,” Engineering Structures, 56(1): 673–681.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Sarno L, Elnashai AS and Manfredi G (2011), “Assessment of RC Columns Subjected to Horizontal and Vertical Ground Motions Recorded during the 2009 L’Aquila (Italy) Earthquake,” Engineering Structures, 33(5): 1514–1535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Sarno L, Yenidogan C and Erdik M (2013), “Field Evidence and Numerical Investigation of the M w = 7.1 October 23 Van, Tabanli and the M w>5.7 November Earthquakes of 2011,” Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 11(1): 313–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dogan B and Karakas A (2013), “Geometry of Coseismic Surface Ruptures and Tectonic Meaning of the 23 October 2011 M w 7.1 Van Earthquake (East Anatolian Region, Turkey),” Journal of Structural Geology, 46(1): 99–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donahue JL and Abrahamson NA (2014), “Simulation-Based Hanging Wall Effects,” Earthquake Spectra, 30(3): 1269–1284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott JR, Copley AC, Holley R, Scharer K and Parsons B (2013), “The 2011 Mw 7.1 Van (Eastern Turkey) Earthquake,” J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 118(4): 1619–1637.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elnashai AS and Di Sarno L (2008), Fundamentals of Earthquake Engineering, Wiley and Sons, United Kingdom.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • EMSC (2011), PGA/PGV/Population Map for M7.2 Eastern Turkey -2011-10-23 10: 41 UTC, European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), Arpajon, France. [Available online: http://www.emsc-csem.org/ [Accessed: March 4th, 2015]

    Google Scholar 

  • Goda K, Pomonis A, Chian SC, Offord M, Saito K, Sammonds P, Fraser S, Raby A and Macabuag J (2013), “Ground Motion Characteristics and Shaking Damage of the 11th March 2011 M w9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake,” Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 11(1): 141–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gülkan P, Gürpinar A, Celebi M, Arpat E and Gencoglu S, (1978), “Engineering Report on the Muradiye -Çaldiran, Turkey, Earthquake of 24 November 1976,” Technical Report, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Güney D (2012), “Van Earthquakes (23 October 2011 and 9 November 2011) and Performance of Masonry and Adobe Structures,” Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 12(11): 3337–3342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes G (2011), Finite Fault Model, Updated Result of the Oct 23, 2011 Mw 7.1 Eastern Turkey Earthquake, United States Geological Service, USGS, Available online: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2011/usb0006bqc/finite_fault.php [Accessed: March 4th, 2015]

    Google Scholar 

  • KOERI (2011), 23 October 2011, Mw = 7.2 Van, Turkey Earthquake Report, Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI), Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey. Available online: http://www.koeri.boun.edu.tr/depremmuh/deprem-raporlari/Van_Eq_SM_31102011.pdf [Accessed: March 4th, 2015]

    Google Scholar 

  • Manfredi G, Prota A, Verderame GM, De Luca F and Ricci P (2014), “2012 Emilia Earthquake, Italy: Reinforced Concrete Buildings Response,” Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 12(5): 2275–2298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pampal S and Özmen B (2007), The Earthquake Reality of Turkey: Historical Development of Seismic Zonation Maps and Design Codes, Umit Press, Ankara, Turkey. (in Turkish)

    Google Scholar 

  • Piroglu F and Ozakgul K (2013), “Site Investigation of Masonry Buildings Damaged during the 23 October and 9 November 2011 Van Earthquakes in Turkey,” Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 13(3): 689–708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • State Institute of Statistics, SIS (2000) Building Cencus 2000, State Institute of Statistics (SIS), Ankara, Turkey.

    Google Scholar 

  • State Institute of Statistics, SIS (2011) Population of Provinces, State Institute of Statistics (SIS), Ankara, Turkey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Su RKL, Lee YY, Lee CL and Ho JCM (2011), “Typical Collapse Modes of Confined Masonry Buildings under Strong Earthquakes,” The Open Construction and Building Technology Journal, 5(S1-M2): 50–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tapan M, Comert M, Demir C, Sayan Y, Orakcal, K and Ilki A (2013), “Failures of Structures during the October 23, 2011 Tabanli (Van) and November 9, 2011 Edremit (Van) Earthquakes in Turkey,” Engineering Failure Analysis, 34: 606–628.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turkish Earthquake Code, TEC (2007), Regulations on Structures Constructed in Disaster Regions, Ministry of Public Works And Settlement, Ankara; Turkey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turkish Standards Institute, TSI (2000), TS500 Requirements for Design and Construction of Reinforced Concrete Structures, Turkish Standards Institute, Ankara, Turkey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uhrhammer R (1986), “Characteristics of Northern and Southern California Seismicity,” Earthquake Notes, 57(1): 21–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Geological Service, USGS (2011), Magnitude 7.1 -Eastern Turkey 2011 October 23 10: 41: 21 UTC Earthquake ShakeMap, United States Geological Survey, Available online: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/shakemap/global/shake/ b0006bqc/ [Accessed: March 4th, 2015]

    Google Scholar 

  • Verderame GM, Ricci P, De Luca F, Del Gaudio C and De Risi MT (2014), “Damage Scenarios for RC Buildings during the 2012 Emilia (Italy) Earthquake,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 66(1): 385–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Management Institute, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ufuk Yazgan & Reşat Oyguç

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

    M. Ertaç Ergüven & Zekai Celep

Authors
  1. Ufuk Yazgan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Reşat Oyguç
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Ertaç Ergüven
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zekai Celep
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ufuk Yazgan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yazgan, U., Oyguç, R., Ergüven, M.E. et al. Seismic performance of buildings during 2011 Van earthquakes and rebuilding efforts. Earthq. Eng. Eng. Vib. 15, 591–606 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-016-0346-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-016-0346-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation