A Mobile Application-Based Data Collection Framework to Enhance the Seismic Performance of Existing Reinforced Concrete Buildings

Year 2026, Volume: 22 Issue: 1 , 163 - 179 , 30.03.2026

Kurtuluş Atasever

https://doi.org/10.18466/cbayarfbe.1797967

https://izlik.org/JA52LD27XC

Abstract

The seismic assessment of existing building stock, particularly in megacities such as Istanbul, is constrained by insufficient data and the time-intensive nature of data collection. This bottleneck persists despite the prevalence of aging structures that no longer comply with current seismic design codes. This paper proposes a mobile application–based framework for collecting building data to improve seismic performance and strengthen public awareness. The framework comprises six sequential steps—seismic hazard and casualties, building risk prioritization, damage evaluation, rapid/preliminary assessment, detailed assessment, and project planning—and provides progressively more accurate information as more data are collected. A mobile application was developed to test the framework and has been downloaded more than 8,000 times. Across Steps 1–5, a total of 3381, 393, 2, 5 and 2 reports were generated. Application of the methodology to sample buildings showed that 87% of the structures fell within the expected performance range, while the remainder exhibited better-than-predicted performance.

Keywords

Seismic risk prioritization , Data collection , Reinforced concrete structures , Rapid assessment

Supporting Institution

TUBITAK

Project Number

2210007

Thanks

This study was funded by the TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye) BIGG 1512.

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