Thermal Insulation Directly Affects Earthquake Performance

Thermal insulation plays a critical role not only in energy efficiency but also in building safety and seismic performance. Meltem Bayraktar San, Technical Director at Baumit Turkey, notes that in buildings without thermal insulation, temperature fluctuations throughout the year create continuous expansion-contraction cycles in building elements, leading over time to "thermal stress."

Bayraktar San stated, "Thermal insulation limits thermal stresses in the building envelope by balancing temperature differences. This makes reinforced concrete elements more resilient to temperature variations, freeze-thaw cycles, and thermal stress. Maintaining the integrity of the building envelope helps reduce additional structural strain during earthquakes."

Earthquake Resilience Requires a Holistic Approach
Turkey's seismic reality demands that buildings be evaluated not only on their load-bearing systems but also considering all environmental effects they are exposed to. Bayraktar San emphasized that thermal insulation, while not as direct as waterproofing, functions as a "secondary protection layer" that shields the reinforced concrete structural system against corrosion.

Bayraktar San noted that condensation forms on interior surfaces of buildings without thermal insulation, creating a continuously damp environment in reinforced concrete elements that causes reinforcement corrosion through carbonation and chloride attack. "A continuously damp environment leads to losses in the reinforcement cross-section and reduces the load-bearing system's strength. Without thermal insulation, condensation occurs, reinforcement corrosion develops. This results in cross-sectional loss and weakens the structural system," she said.

Micro-Cracks Weaken Seismic Performance
Bayraktar San drew attention to the fact that micro-cracks can develop over time on exterior surfaces of buildings without thermal insulation, noting that these cracks allow water and carbon dioxide ingress, reducing concrete strength.

"Thermal insulation limits crack formation by reducing temperature differences, preserves concrete's mechanical properties, and supports 'material continuity,' which is critical in earthquake engineering. This contributes to maintaining buildings' seismic performance over time," she said.

"40 Percent of Building Stock at Risk"
Bayraktar San noted that Turkey has approximately 19 million residential units, and a significant portion needs to be evaluated in terms of disaster risk, adding that the necessity to renovate or strengthen approximately 40 percent of the building stock makes protecting existing structures even more critical.

"Earthquake safety is a building characteristic that must be protected over time. Thermal insulation prevents the weakening of the reinforced concrete structural system by limiting condensation, temperature stress, and material deterioration, and contributes to the sustainability of seismic performance," she said.

Facade Integrity Reduces Secondary Risks
Bayraktar San stated that properly detailed and code-compliant insulation jacket systems support facade integrity and that secondary risks such as debris falling and detachment during earthquakes can also be reduced.

Bayraktar San noted that studies conducted by İZODER and Istanbul Technical University have shown that thermal insulation systems, when correctly applied, do not compromise building statics but instead contribute to facade integrity. She said that as Baumit, they aim to extend building lifespan and contribute to the development of more earthquake-resistant structures through solutions they have developed.