Dilatation joints, which we usually see in large buildings such as shopping malls and parking lots, are life-saving in large earthquakes. So how does this technology, also known as “earthquake joint”, work?
Whenever there is an earthquake in Turkey, hundreds of experts sit and talk for months. So what is changing? unfortunately nothing. After a while, we forget what happened and bring it up again in the next earthquake. Then this “destiny“, “disaster of the century”, “very strong earthquake”, we do not change anything.
However, quite simple methodscan make the tens of storey buildings we erect much safer. Now, we will talk about a construction technology that provides great benefits, especially in large residential buildings, and minimizes the effects of earthquakes. “dilatation jointThis simple technique, called “, can save the lives of countless people in buildings to be built from now on.
What is dilatation joint (earthquake joint)?
You must have entered large settlements such as shopping malls or parking lots. If you look carefully at the ground, from time to time black tires in metal frames you will see. This is exactly what we call the dilatation joint. Don’t be angry if your feet stumble while walking. Because the dilatation joint is located in the building you are in. for earthquake safety is of critical importance.
Let’s also note that the word “dilatation” has entered Turkish from the French word “dilatation”. The meaning of this word isexpansion“is. If you encounter the phrase “expansion joint”, you can assume that it is a dilatation joint. You can also refer to these structures. earthquake joint is also called.
What does the dilatation joint do?
In events such as tall buildings, earthquakes or storms tends to wobble. This is where the dilatation joint comes into play. Dilatation joints placed in certain parts of a building by making engineering calculations, earthquake or wind-induced oscillations allows it to be absorbed.
Let’s explain the dilation joint in a simpler way: Let’s say you have a hammer strong enough to demolish a building. Let’s imagine that you are constantly hitting the building from the left side of this attractive large and tall building. If there is a dilatation joint placed right in the middle of the building, the left side of the building sways while the right side lower wobble will be. In the absence of a dilatation joint, it is everywhere in the building. same shake will occur.
Imagine that a building is built in two parts. The earthquake joint connects these two parts.
Huge buildings actually bonding of concrete consists of. Here, the dilatation joint allows two concrete pieces with a small gap between them to be built and joined together, instead of building a giant piece of concrete. Let’s take an example from the photo above: Beton 1 and Beton 2 are actually two separate parts. Dilatation joint these parts while holding it togetherallows Concrete 1 and Concrete 2 to flex independently during events such as earthquakes. Thus, the intensity of the earthquake is much greater. it feels light.
The earthquake joint is included in the “Turkey Building Earthquake Regulation” in the Official Gazette.
Earthquake joint application is not optional. As of January 1, 2019 It is clearly stated how the earthquake joints should be applied and calculated in the 4th and 14th chapters of the Turkish Building Seismic Code that came into force. is described.
According to the calculations of civil engineers, the seismic joint gap is for every 6 meters of height. is at least 3 centimeters. For every 3 meters of height after that, at least 1 centimeter more space should be added. If an earthquake joint was applied between the buildings you see in the GIF above, both buildings would be independent and calmly swaying We would testify…
A simple but effective video explaining the working logic of the earthquake joint:
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