ABSTRACT
The catastrophic earthquakes in Turkey (1999), Taiwan (1999) and India (2001) are considered among the strongest earthquakes that have occurred in densely populated areas for the last 100 years.
Presented further in this text shall be the main characteristics of the earthquakes in Taiwan and India. The characteristics of the Izmit earthquake shall be given in more details also.
Based on the field observations of the buildings done 1 week after the catastrophic earthquake, the main types of damage to the residential structures in the Kocaeli region have been classified. The reasons for the occurred damages to the structures have also been analyzed. It has been concluded that there are several reasons for the occurred damage: the inappropriate selection of construction site (structures constructed on (1) an active fault, (2) soil susceptible to liquefaction and (3) coast susceptible to flooding), the non-adequate structural system and the bad quality of the material used for construction.
The situation in the affected region regarding the removal of the debris and the repair of the structures after 6 months has also been described and analyzed.
Finally, it is pointed out that there is a need of permanent updating of the seismic regulations for buildings and establishment of regulations for seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings.
