Earthquake in Turkey: 87-meter tower in Hatay did not incur single damage in quake

While 45 thousand 89 citizens lost their lives in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake centered in Kahramanmaras and 7.6 magnitude earthquakescentered in Elbistan, there was also great destruction in Hatay. While there was disastrous damage to many buildings in Antakya and İskenderun as well as many spots in Hatay, there was no damage to the structure with two 87-meter towers, although there were no insulators. Not a single piece of glassware in the shopping center moved.

The Kahramanmaraş-based earthquakes also caused destruction and damage in the Iskenderun district of Hatay. While many structures were destroyed on the coastal strip, one of the most damaged areas of the city, damage occurred to those that survived the quake (standing), due to liquefaction of the ground.

The fact that there was no damage to the structure consisting of a shopping center, hotel and residence, which attracted attention with its two tall towers in the region, did not escape attention. In addition, it stunned those who saw that no items were damaged in the workplaces (stores) inside the shopping center in the structure where no insulator was present.

While there are collapses even on the road in front of the structure, which has two towers with 19 floors and a height of 87 meters, there was almost no movement in the building.

‘IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT GROUND’

The chairman of the board of directors of the shopping center, who stated that the floor was loosening and there was liquefaction when the project started, stated that they had taken all the necessary measures to be taken in the project. Emphasizing that the floor, which was planned to be completed in a few months according to the planning in the project, took 1.5 years, He said, “We started the project under the leadership of Turkish engineers. It was a very difficult ground. The floor, which should normally be finished in a few months, took 1.5 years.

The piles were lowered up to 57 meters, diaphragm walls were made. It wasn’t just the ground, there was huge pressure from the sides as we went down. We had to take precautions for all of these.

On such floors, the building can move with liquefaction after an earthquake. The building may lie to the right and left, precautions need to be taken. We didn’t just stay here with vertical piles. We nailed stakes in the form of horizontal nails.”

“IT SURVIVED THE EARTHQUAKE WITHOUT DAMAGE”

Stating that many structures on the coastline were damaged, he said, “After the earthquake here, the ground collapsed 50-60 centimeters down on the coastline. That’s why so many buildings have become unusable. Our building survived the earthquake without damage by staying at its own elevation.

Only the cost has not been calculated here. Human loss was prevented thanks to this. We did not use an insulator. While the building was being built, the records of the last 60 years were checked. Weather conditions, earthquakes experienced throughout history were looked at. It was done in the most correct way with all this in mind. That is why it is obvious that the insulator is not needed and also in the current state of the project.”

SOURCE: hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/hatayda-87-metrelik-kule-tek-bir-hasar-bile-almadi-iste-binanin-yapim-sureci-42227693?