Field Investigation on Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Buildings Damages after November 23, 2022 Gölyaka (Düzce) Earthquake

Abstract

A strong earthquake with a moment magnitude of [Formula: see text].9 according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) occurred at 04:08 local time on November 23, 2022, in Gölyaka district of Düzce province that is located in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. The earthquake with a shallow focus is 0.82 km away from Kemeryani village of Gölyaka district, which is the nearest settlement. According to observation data, the highest acceleration value of the earthquake was measured as 407.76 gal (0.410 g) in the East-West component measured from the 8102 coded Düzce Central accelerometer station, which is one of the five accelerometer stations closest to the earthquake zone. There was no loss of life in the earthquake, in which 93 people were injured. However, damages occurred due to the earthquake in structures that were built before the year 2000 and did not receive good engineering and supervision services. It has been determined that the structures built after the year 2000 received good engineering and supervision services performed better. The purpose of this study is to ensure that the experience gained as a result of the investigations about the earthquake that occurred will be made permanent and usable. For this purpose, damage and collapses that occurred on the buildings due to earthquake are examined based on field investigation. The types and causes of damage that occurred on both reinforced concrete and masonry buildings are evaluated in detail with considering the conditions of the existing Turkey Building Earthquake Design Code. The seismological characteristics of the earthquake are also evaluated. In addition, the earthquake hazard of Düzce Province is evaluated together with the earthquakes experienced in the past years, which caused significant loss of life and property in the region.