“Building inspection should be done properly”

Prof. Dr. Cemil Atakara, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture of Cyprus International University (CIU) stated that it is a known fact that Cyprus is located in an earthquake zone, and added, “Therefore, it is important that the buildings in earthquake zones should be designed with the correct architecture and static projects. Building inspections should be done correctly." 

Atakara said that especially the carrier system designs in other words structural designs should be evaluated alongside the land survey of a building. "It is also imperative to work in coordination with architects, civil engineers and geophysics engineers."

Atakara said that the structural project should be prepared by civil engineers in line with the data to be obtained from ground survey studies, and also noted that a project suitable for that ground should be prepared, but unfortunately, there are some problems in this regard throughout the country.

Reminding that there are some things to be considered in terms of architectural design, Atakara said, “The areas that are called the short column known as basement parking  by the public, the spaces that can be classified as the soft floor known as the tensile or mezzanine floor,  the staircase tower should not be close to the center but  located in a corner of the building, and many design issues such as solutions for plans from different angles should be well evaluated by the architect and the static solution should be made appropriately by the civil engineer.”
Atakara pointed out it is significant that chambers affiliated to Union of the Chambers of Cyprus Turkish Engineers and Architects (KTMMOB) in our country perform the project controls 
and added this is the first link to the control mechanism.

Pointing out that the main problem may occur during the application of the control process to the building, Atakara said, “It is vital whether materials suitable for static solutions are used, whether the beam is functioning properly;  and it is also important to inspect  the conformity of the mold design and ironwork to the project,  and whether the column and foundation systems function properly in their role of transferring earthquake and wind loads to the ground.”

Atakara said that correct zoning plans are needed in order for all these elements to work in coordination and added, "When zoning plans are being made, the current seismic data prepared by earth scientists should be taken into account and areas where liquefaction is high and where saturated or partially saturated soil is low should also be evaluated."

Atakara said that the use of seismic isolators along with other measures, especially in the newly built hospitals, schools and other government buildings in the country, the earthquake regulation should be revised and updated in line with the current data, and the resistance of the building against earthquake loads should be rated immediately and along with the ground surveys in the existing buildings. Buildings with bad reports should be demolished. The building inspection mechanism should gain functionality, especially with a mechanism that will involve local governments, and buildings that have the  proper documents obtained during the construction process and that are found to be appropriate should be licensed upon approval.