Corrosion Is Eroding the Load-Bearing Capacity of Buildings

Corrosion is Depleting Buildings' Load-Bearing Capacity Our country, situated almost entirely within an active earthquake belt, has once again witnessed the collapse of buildings, loss of life, and rescue operations for those trapped beneath the rubble—a tragedy we observe with deep sorrow.

İZODER Chairman Emrullah Eruslu made statements regarding the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş that affected ten provinces and caused significant losses:

"We have experienced great suffering due to earthquakes and unfortunately continue to do so. The recent earthquake that deeply affected all of Turkey has reminded us once again how important safe construction is. We extend our condolences to all our country, particularly to the citizens in the affected region. We pray for mercy for those who lost their lives in the earthquake and swift recovery for the injured."

Emrullah Eruslu continued his remarks as follows:

"We regrettably see that our concerns about the earthquake resistance of existing buildings in our country are justified. The existing building stock must be examined urgently; safe buildings with adequate resistance, buildings that can be strengthened to become safe, and unsafe buildings must be identified. Unsafe buildings must be subjected to urban renewal immediately and rebuilt. Our new buildings should be designed and constructed in accordance with regulations using quality materials suitable to the ground, taking into account our country's earthquake reality, and we must protect the buildings we construct with water insulation against corrosion. We must not forget that water insulation, which acts as a shield against corrosion—the greatest enemy of buildings—is vital in preserving the durability for which buildings are designed."

Water sensitivity is the weak point of reinforced concrete structures

"Water sensitivity is one of the weakest points of reinforced concrete structural systems. Rain, snow, groundwater, moisture in the soil, water leaks from wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets, as well as pressurized or unpressurized groundwater located beneath the building site can continuously expose buildings to water. Water penetrating the load-bearing structural elements causes the steel reinforcement inside the concrete to rust, that is, corrode. Corrosion reduces the load-bearing capacity of the structure. For reinforced concrete buildings to function properly throughout their design life, the entire structure must be protected from corrosion with thermal and water insulation in compliance with standards. According to research by the esteemed Karadeniz Technical University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Şakir Erdoğdu, a reinforcement exposed to water loses 50 percent of its load-bearing capacity after 5 years, 90 percent after 15 years, and all of it after 24 years. In other words, a building can collapse from reinforcement corrosion alone, without any earthquake or external factor. As you will recall, following the 17 August 1999 Marmara Earthquake, inspections conducted by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Damage Assessment Commission determined that corrosion was found in 64 percent of 55,651 residences and businesses, of which 79 percent were damaged. Corrosion is indeed such a critical issue." he stated.