Building Reinforcement:
Make Your Building Earthquake-Safe

A significant portion of Turkey's existing building stock was constructed before current earthquake regulations came into force. Strengthening these buildings is increasingly in focus both for individual safety and as part of the urban renewal process.

Before Deciding: Performance Assessment

To determine whether a building is suitable for reinforcement, a damage assessment and structural performance evaluation must first be carried out. This establishes the existing load-bearing system capacity, concrete quality and performance level under TBDY 2018. The results answer the critical question: reinforcement or demolition and reconstruction?

Adding Shear Walls

Adding new reinforced concrete shear walls to an existing frame is one of the most effective and widely used strengthening methods. Shear walls provide rigidity and ductility, absorbing earthquake energy effectively. The method requires significant architectural intervention and may necessitate building evacuation during works.

Carbon Fibre Reinforcement (CFRP)

CFRP strips bonded to the surfaces of columns and beams significantly increase their shear and flexural capacity. This method is relatively quick, unobtrusive and can often be carried out without evacuating occupants. It is particularly effective where column strength is insufficient.

Reinforce or Rebuild?

When a building falls into the heavy damage category, has very low concrete strength or a fundamentally inadequate load-bearing system, reinforcement may be insufficient. In these cases, urban renewal — demolishing and rebuilding — delivers a longer-lasting, safer and ultimately more economical outcome. At Home Yapı Mühendislik, we determine the most appropriate strategy for every building through an independent assessment.