Lessons Learned from Collapse of Zumrut Building under Gravity Loads

Year 2017, , 44 - 49, 28.06.2017

Can Balkaya

https://doi.org/10.19072/ijet.296655

Cited By: 1

Abstract

The 11-story reinforced
concrete Zumrut Building in Konya, Turkey collapsed on February 2, 2004.
Ninety-two people died. This study was conducted to determine the mechanism of
the collapse and identify lessons learned to avoid future disasters. Using
structural drawings, material samples, and soil information obtained from the
site, reasons for the collapse were investigated. A three-dimensional (3-D)
structural model and analyses were performed using ETABSV8.11, and various
possible critical cases were studied. The step-wise nonlinear analysis used to
obtain the collapse mechanisms was an example of forensic structural
engineering and revealed that the progressive collapse of the building was
torsional, caused by decrease in structural system’s capacity to redistribute
gravity load after failure of a column. The lessons learned include the
importance of project controls to reduce design and construction errors, ensure
that construction and repairs are consistent with design intent, and changes
are checked for safety and included in drawings. The importance of integrating
architectural and structural systems to form 3-D continous structural frames to
reduce the probability of progressive collapse is also discussed.

Keywords

Zumrut Building, progressive collapse, collapse mechanisms, 3-D finite element analysis, failure of structure

References

• C. Balkaya, “Collapsed reasons of Zumrut Building in Konya.” (in Turkish). TMMOB Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects, J. Teknik Guc, No: 135, 2004.
• C. Balkaya, “Investigation of collapsed Zumrut Building in Konya and progressive collapse mechanisms. ” 8th International Congress on Advances in Civil Engineering, Famagusta, North Cyprus, 2008.
• ETABSV8.11. Structural and Earthquake Engineering Software. Computers and Structures, Inc. Berkeley. California, USA, 2002.