The report titled “Natural Construction Materials and Methods for Disaster-Resistant Cities” prepared in partnership by the World Wildlife Foundation and the Natural Construction Materials and Methods Association included interesting data on the earthquake resistance of buildings constructed with natural materials. The report, which is based on extensive field research covering Gaziantep and its surrounding areas where the February 6 earthquakes hit, emphasized the need to popularize the use of natural construction materials. The report indicated that the use of natural materials in construction has been completely abandoned in recent years and included the following information: “It has been observed that construction has increasingly moved away from nature in the last 30 years. While in the past, outside of special regions due to climate, 30 to 40 percent organic materials and 60 to 70 percent inorganic materials were used in structures, today, especially in modern structures in big cities, 90 to 100 percent artificial construction materials that are alien to nature and living things are used.”
BUILDING BIOLOGY
While the report also included one of the striking concepts, “building biology”, it was stated that “In the building biology approach, which addresses the building-human-environment relations in their entirety, the building is evaluated as an organism and the natural structure is based on 25 basic principles. According to this approach, the building opens up a space that activates creativity and potential, beyond being a shelter that protects people from external weather conditions. “Such a structure not only meets the needs of the person living in it, but also creates a healthy indoor climate, that is, air quality. It also meets social and ecological requirements.”
THE RUBBER WAS EXAMINED
While the report touched upon the examinations made on the rubble piles left from the wreckage in Gaziantep and its surroundings, the following remarkable findings were made: “There is a large amount of rubble and demolition waste in the earthquake-affected area. Provided that these wastes can be classified and only high strength elements such as concrete and brick fragments are removed, it is possible to create a material source suitable for gabion or ‘filling stone wall’ techniques. Other existing wastes that need to be tested for construction are subsurface soil (excavation wastes with sufficient clay content and no organic matter) or fine powder materials from stone cutting workshops or sand pits.”
STONE PROPOSAL
While the report focused on the masonry stone structures based on the characteristics of the Gaziantep region, it was stated that “Although they are resistant to all kinds of disasters (stone is water-resistant, fireproof and provides very good protection against heat),Although this method has been used since ancient Greek times, the high amount of raw materials and precision in design and cutting required make the construction process difficult. However, this technique has proven its durability over the centuries.”
WOODEN CARRIER SYSTEM
The following statements are made regarding the use of wood in buildings: “According to the Turkish Earthquake Regulation – Chapter 12, wooden carrier structures supported by cross elements are permitted, but the height is limited to a maximum of 7 m to 10.5 m depending on the earthquake risk. When it comes to durable building design with wood, other precautions need to be taken. The lightness and ductility of the wooden carrier system provides better resistance to earthquakes, but it requires a good support and connection relationship between the roof and the foundation to prevent damage during an earthquake.”
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