Parameters in the rapid evaluation method in reinforced-concrete structures in the light of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes

Türkiye was shaken by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on February 6, 2023, which caused huge structural destruction. Large-scale loss of life and property occurred due to structural damage. These earthquakes, which are neither the first nor the last for Türkiye, have once again demonstrated that structural weaknesses are a factor in damages, as is the case after every earthquake. Many factors affecting the earthquake vulnerability of buildings are taken into account as parameters in the rapid assessment methods used for buildings. Within the scope of this study, the structural parameters specified in the simplified method used to determine regional risk priorities for reinforced-concrete structures in the Principles for Detection Risky Structures updated in 2019 in Türkiye were taken into account. Detailed information is given for each parameter taken into account in this method, and the structural damages that occurred in the Kahramanmaraş earthquake of February 6, 2023 are exemplified. The effect of each parameter in this rapid assessment method on the structural performance to be obtained for a reinforced-concrete building has been numerically obtained. A reduction coefficient was suggested as a result of structural analysis for the lack of building construction year for this method. A reduction coefficient of 15% was suggested for buildings built between 1975 and 1997, 10% for buildings built between 1998 and 2006, and 5% for buildings built between 2007 and 2017. In addition, the effect of concrete grade on structural analysis was evaluated based on different parameters.