Local soil effects, one of the most important factors in modeling earthquake-resistant structures, must be considered from both a geotechnical and an earthquake engineering perspective. For buildings to be constructed on weak soils in earthquake zones, a pile foundation (deep foundation) system should be chosen. All or part of the superstructure load should be transferred by reaching solid layers. Just as the soil can affect the structure, the structure also affects the soil. Unfortunately, in practice, for many years the interaction between structure and soil was ignored, and only the structural systems were examined in analyses.
Because the subject is by nature interdisciplinary and the parameters selected at each stage vary widely, understanding and designing it remains a complex process.
Havutlu Mass Housing Project Designed with a Pile Foundation System
In our 283-unit mass housing project in the Havutlu area of Adana, built on weak soil with deep foundation applications, the necessary analyses and checks were carried out in the design and implementation of soil-structure dynamic interaction. Considering the local soil conditions of the region, the project, with its 20-meter pile system, sets an example. The works were carefully completed by expert geological engineers and geotechnical engineers. In the strong magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, seismic intensity was observed to be high on soft soils. In these earthquakes, some liquefaction damage occurred on soft soils in many areas, notably Adıyaman and İskenderun. It was observed how important it is for buildings on such soils to be constructed with pile foundations of sufficient strength and length.
35 Years in Every Field of Construction