THE STRUCTURE ANALYSIS OF BUILDINGS IN TURKEY AND SELECTION OF THE STRUCTURE

Abstract

Aim Building structures are assessed with several parameters such as cost, construction time, fire resistance, life cycle, maintenance and repair frequency, and environmental impacts. Building structures are reviewed as masonry, steel framed, wood framed, reinforced concrete framed, composite and prefabricated structures. This study aims to analyze the existing building stock of Turkey and assess the existing buildings in terms of their structural system decisions. Method: Following the comparative assessment of the types of structures based on literature review, assessment criteria for the selection of structural system are determined and a statistical analysis of the existing building stock in Turkey has been made in terms of the use of different structures. A questionnaire was prepared for the architects who decided the structural system in the design phase. Respondents evaluate the structural systems and selection criteria. Statistical analysis is made with the results of the survey. Findings: There is a clear preference for reinforced concrete framed structures in Turkey. A quantitative assessment of the structural systems in the existing buildings in Turkey by 2018 shows that 93.13% of the building stock has reinforced concrete framed. Looking at the individual years in the 2009 to 2018 period, the rate of preference of using reinforced concrete framed structures never went below 89% among all types of structures, but steel framed structure is the most preferred structural system at the end of the survey. Conclusion: It is thought-provoking that although different structures have different comparative advantages, structures other than reinforced concrete framed are preferred so little. The findings will contribute to making the right decision in building structure with the assessment of different structures in different aspects.