Analysis of building damage caused by earthquakes in Eastern Turkey

Abstract

Numerous ground motions of various intensities have been registered in Eastern Turkey since 23 October 2011. Two of them resulted in severe loss of life and great material damage in the towns of Van and Erciş. More than 600,000 people were affected by damage caused by earthquakes in that period. Van is one of the most recent and fastest developing regions of Turkey, which is why thorough investigations must be made to check seismic properties of buildings erected in this region. Types of seismic damage inflicted on buildings, and causes of damage to various buildings built in Van and Erciş, are analysed in the paper.