In this study, basalt, which is common around Diyarbakır province (Turkey), is used as concrete aggregate, waste materials as mineral additives and Portland cement as binding material to prepare concrete mixes. This paper aims to determine the proper admixture levels and usability of Diyarbakır basalt in concrete mixtures based on mechanical, physical and chemical tests. Thus, in order to determine the strength and durability performance of concrete mixtures with Diyarbakır basalt as aggregate, 72 sample cubes of 150 mm were prepared in three groups: mineral-free admixture (MFA), 10% of cement amount substituted for silica fume (SFS) and 20% for fly ash (FAS) as waste material. The samples were exposed to water curing and 100g/L sulphate solution to determine the loss in weight of the concrete cubes and compressive strength was examined at the end of 7, 28 and 360 days of the specimens. Analysis of the microstructure and cracks that influence durability, were also performed to determine effects of sulphate attacks alkali-silica reactions on the specimens using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A loss in weight of the concrete cubes and compressive strength was distinctly evident at the end of 56 and 90 days in both acids.

Türkiye is prone to earthquakes due to its location on various tectonic plates, which can lead to a loss of lives and property. Recently, on 6 February 2023, two major earthquakes hit Pazarcık and Elbistan in Türkiye, causing widespread destruction on the East Anatolian Fault (EAF) zone. Even Diyarbakır, a distant province from the epicentre, was severely affected, highlighting the need to evaluate Turkish earthquake codes. As part of this evaluation, a structural analysis was conducted on earthquake-damaged and collapsed buildings in Diyarbakır. The study analysed three buildings with different levels of damage and six collapsed buildings as case studies. The seismic parameters of the earthquakes were compared to the values in the two recent earthquake hazard maps used in Türkiye’s codes, as well as the Eurocode 8 damage limit values obtained from pushover analysis. The results revealed significant differences between the current seismic values of earthquakes and the current peak ground acceleration (PGA) values specified in the Turkish Earthquake Design Regulations. Additionally, the selected buildings showed inadequate structural behaviours, with significant differences between the expected and actual seismic performances with respect to the PGA values as one of the most important earthquake characteristics.

Mesopotamia, which is one of the strategical regions of the Middle East, has hosted numerous communities and civilizations since the ancient times of human history. This situation made the region considerably prosperous in terms of historical and cultural heritage. Ten-Eyed Bridge, that is one of the most important historical and cultural symbols of Diyarbakir, having lasted till today, became an example of this prosperous heritage. However, various interventions and deteriorations have occurred in the construction within long time due to the impact of human and nature. Because of the considerable temperature difference arising due to continental climate of the region as well as damages like the change of conditions of use, amortizations in bearing constructional components in contact with water have emerged. In this study, with the purpose of ensuring further future existence of Ten-Eyed Bridge, adopted methods for structural and physical deteriorations and protection works were examined.

Yapıların inşa edileceği zeminler eğimli olabilmektedir. Çoğu zaman tabii zemin eğimi ortadan kaldırılarak farklı kot seviyelerine oturan temeller engellenmektedir. Ancak bazı durumlarda yapı zemin eğimine göre inşa edilebilmektedir. Bu gibi durumlarda yapının zemin katında bulunan düşey taşıyıcı elemanlar farklı yüksekliklerde inşa edilebilmektedir. Bu çalışma kapsamında 3%, 5% ve 10% zemin eğimleri dikkate alınmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçların karşılaştırılabilmesi adına zemin eğimin dikkate alınmadığı referans betonarme bina için hesaplamalar yapılmıştır. Oluşturulan dört farklı yapı modeli için statik itme ve özdeğer analizleri yapılmıştır. Yapısal modellerin tamamında değişken olarak sadece zemin kat kolon yükseklikleri seçilmiştir. Yapısal analizlere esas olan diğer tüm değerler sabit olarak alınmıştır. Her bir yapısal model için periyot, yer değiştirme, taban kesme kuvvet, elastik ve efektif rijitlik ile hasar durumları için üç farklı hedef deplasman değerleri ayrı ayrı hesaplanmıştır. Her bir yapı modeli için ilk ve son hasar şekilleri elde edilmiştir. Zemin eğiminden dolayı oluşan kısa kolonlar yapının deprem performansını olumsuz olarak etkilemektedir. Zemin eğiminin artmasından dolayı zemin katta yer alan kolon yüksekliklerindeki azalma yapının rijitlik değerlerini arttırmakta, periyot değerlerini azaltıp, yapının sismik kapasitesini arttırmaktadır. Ancak zemin eğiminin fazla olduğu yapı modellerinde daha düşük yük faktörleri altında ilk hasarlar meydana gelmiştir. Oluşan ilk hasarlar eğimden dolayı en düşük yüksekliklere sahip kolonlarda oluşmuştur. Yer değiştirme istem talepleri zemin eğiminin arttığı yapı modellerinde azalmıştır.

Especially, the large-scale loss of life and property caused by the significant earthquakes in recent years has brought the importance of research and measures to be taken on this issue. Determining and analysing the ever-increasing building stock of the cities and detecting and managing all information related to buildings are important in terms of spatial planning and urban transformation. This study aims to determine tectonic characteristics calculating a and b values of Gutenberg- Richter magnitude-frequency relation which forms the basis of earthquake statistics for all cities in Turkey and the reinforced-concrete buildings which are primarily risky in terms of urban transformation. For this purpose, a total of 1620, 5-storey buildings from all provinces of Turkey were assessed. Twenty reinforced concrete buildings from each province were taken into consideration which has 5-stories. The first stage evaluation method specified in the principles regarding the identification of risky buildings issued in 2013 by the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Environment and Urbanization was used in this study. The performance scores for 1620 buildings were calculated by using this method. A risk priority map was created for the provinces, taking into account for these buildings. The study aims to determine risk priorities of site and mid-rise reinforced-concrete buildings among the cities. The results obtained were interpreted and recommendations were made.