March 12 and June 6, 2005 Bingol-Karliova earthquakes and the damages caused by the material quality and low workmanship in the recent earthquakes

While there were no life losses, 65 people were seriously injured during the Bingol-Karliova earthquake of 5.7 intensity, on the 12th of March and 6th of June 2005. Hundred and twenty buildings in the central Karliova county and 28 buildings in Cat county of Erzurum province were severely damaged. In recent years, in this one and other similar earthquakes of various intensities in Turkey, many buildings have been damaged severely or demolished. Just after the earthquake, the investigation carried out in the region has provided relevant results concerning the quality of the materials used in the construction of the buildings. The consequent studies have shown that the damage has mostly taken place due to low material quality and poor workmanship. The aggregate used in the buildings was so poor in quality that most of the concrete did not meet the expected strength requirements and there were serious workmanship faults in the reinforcement. The quality of the materials and the production were not in accordance with the standards. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.