Earthquake-Resistant Pipe Connections to Be Produced

Earthquake-Resistant Pipe Connection Systems to Be Manufactured Boğaziçi Üniversitesi has launched research and development work supported by the TUBITAK-TEYDEB 1505 University-Industry Cooperation Support Program to develop pipe connection systems that are more resistant to earthquake shaking and commonly used in water and wastewater networks. According to a statement from the university, the two major earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş reminded Turkey once again of seismic reality, and scientists from Boğaziçi Üniversitesi are continuing their work with industry partners on developing more earthquake-resistant infrastructure and superstructure systems. Most recently, with the partnership of Boğaziçi Üniversitesi and Superlit Boru Sanayi AŞ and support from the Technology Transfer Office, R&D work has begun to make CTP pipe connection systems more resistant to strong earthquake movements. The two-year project directed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülüm Tanırcan from the Earthquake Engineering Department is also supported by the TUBITAK-TEYDEB 1505 University-Industry Cooperation Support Program. Material testing in the project will be conducted at Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Department of Mechanical Engineering Composites Laboratory, while prototypes of the designs will be manufactured through industry cooperation and tested in the Building and Shake Table Laboratory located at the Kandilli Campus.

"Pipes will maintain their function after severe earthquakes"

Project director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülüm Tanırcan from Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Earthquake Engineering Department emphasized the importance of the project for enabling pipes running underground in high seismic risk areas of Turkey to maintain their function without damage from earthquake shaking. Tanırcan, drawing attention to the major importance of infrastructure system earthquake safety for protecting public health and preventing economic losses, stated: "Earthquake damage to pipe lines generally occurs in connection areas. Pipe damage means that vital resources like water cannot reach the region, and in addition to the destruction caused by the earthquake, it can lead to other risks such as epidemics. CTP pipes are made of glass fiber reinforced resin and silica sand and are generally used in water and wastewater networks. This pipe type is increasingly preferred because of its high strength and resistance to different weather conditions and corrosion pressure. With our project supported by TUBITAK, we will work on a new system that provides greater resistance of these connection points to severe ground movements caused by earthquakes. With this new connection system, pipes will maintain their function even after severe earthquakes."

"Designs will be tested on shake table"

Project researcher Prof. Dr. Ayşe Edinçliler, Head of Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Earthquake Engineering Department, shared information about the use of shake tables located at Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Kandilli Campus in the project's R&D process. Stating that the effectiveness of the developed composite pipe connection systems will be determined through tests conducted in the Building and Shake Table Laboratory, Edinçliler said: "On the largest table here, an underground pipe system environment will be created. By exposing pipe connections to earthquake movements of various magnitudes and frequencies, the behavior of pipe joints will be examined." Edinçliler reported that all designs for the connection systems by Prof. Dr. Nuri Ersoy from Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Ahmet Güleç from Sakarya Uygulamalı Bilimler Üniversitesi Karasu Vocational School Department of Machine and Welding Technologies, and Dr. Hasan Emre Demirci from İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Department of Civil Engineering, who are participating as researchers in the project, will be tested at Boğaziçi Üniversitesi laboratories. Turgay Aytekin, General Director of Superlit and a project stakeholder, stated that following the R&D work, they aim to introduce CTP pipe connection systems whose reliability has been proven in all aspects to the global market, especially Turkey, in cooperation with Boğaziçi Üniversitesi and Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Technology Transfer Office. Volkan Özgüz, General Director of Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Technology Transfer Office, emphasized that the university is working to further develop its industry partnerships and that this project is a good example for higher education institutions in Turkey, while Prof. Dr. Haluk Özener, General Director of Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KRDAE), noted that they are always supportive of efforts to reduce material and non-material earthquake damage in Turkey. Source: (AA)