news

Our University Achieves a First in Türkiye: Earthquake Test on Next-Generation Wooden Structures Successfully Completed

Our university conducted an "Earthquake Test on Next-Generation Domestic Wooden Structures." No damage was observed in the wooden building subjected to simulated earthquake tremors.

As part of the TÜBİTAK 1001 Project titled “Development of Energy-Efficient and Earthquake-Resistant CLT Composite Panels,” the Earthquake and Structural Health Application and Research Center at our university organized the "Earthquake Test on Next-Generation Domestic Wooden Structures" event. The program was attended by Trabzon Governor Aziz YILDIRIM, Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Av. Ahmet Metin GENÇ, our Rector Prof. Dr. Hamdullah ÇUVALCI, academics, students, and many guests.

 “Our Goal is to Establish a Roadmap”

Speaking to the participants before the experiment in the Structural Health Monitoring Laboratory, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Hamdullah ÇUVALCI, emphasized that this was a first in Türkiye. He stated, “It’s an important day for our university, city, and country. Today, we are conducting the earthquake test on an earthquake-resistant, lightweight, economical wooden structure for the first time at our university’s Structural Health Monitoring Laboratory. This is a comprehensive interdisciplinary study... The Department of Forestry Industrial Engineering worked on the wooden component, while the Department of Civil Engineering focused on the earthquake aspect. Our goal is to establish a roadmap for engineers who will implement these projects. This is the primary duty of universities. After that, it’s about disseminating it to society. I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Cenk DEMİRKIR, the Project Executive from the Department of Forestry Industrial Engineering, and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Can ALTUNIŞIK, the Director of the Earthquake and Structural Health Application and Research Center, and their team from the Department of Civil Engineering.”

“A Valuable Contribution to Our Country”

Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Esq. Ahmet Metin GENÇ expressed his gratitude to the academics involved in the project and the earthquake test, saying, “Last year, we witnessed over 53,000 deaths, a significant number of injuries, and the destruction of public resources in a region affected by an earthquake. Our region also faces similar disasters. Risk analysis should be conducted first, followed by the necessary precautions. Taking precautions through science before a disaster strikes is critical. I thank the esteemed professors, academics, and business leaders who have contributed to these efforts. It is very valuable to see new applications emerging through this TÜBİTAK project.”

A Valuable Contribution to Society

Trabzon Governor Aziz YILDIRIM also highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “We are witnessing a project that is not only significant for Karadeniz Technical University but also for our country. The project will yield results of great scientific and societal value.”

The Experiment Achieved Its Purpose

After the speeches, earthquake simulations were conducted on the "Next-Generation Domestic Wooden Structure" using the Shaking Table in the laboratory. Earthquake acceleration records from the 1990 Erzincan, Kocaeli, Van, İzmir, Elazığ, Malatya, and Kahramanmaraş earthquakes were applied in the experiment. No damage was observed in the building's structural elements, and the project successfully achieved its targeted outcomes.


21 October 2024