It does not seem possible in terms of time and cost to demolish and reconstruct all risky buildings within the scope of urban transformation. What needs to be done should be to expand and support structural reinforcement works, which are a fast, reliable and less costly solution at points where urban transformation is not possible.
Although the buildings strengthened in accordance with the criteria are no different from new buildings in terms of earthquake safety, it can be done at a lower cost than demolishing and rebuilding.
Among the high-tech and high-performance reinforcement systems adopted worldwide today, there are systems developed by Mapei based on the use of composite materials. Among these systems to provide extra protection to structures during seismic activity are; the Classic Mapei polymer matrix and fiber based FRP System, the FRG System, a more modern reinforcement concept for natural stone and masonry structures based on the use of inorganic matrices and fibers, the MapeWrap EQ System, which offers the latest generation reinforcement solutions for non-load-bearing structural elements and the ultra-high performance cementitious composite solution offered by Planitop HPC (High Performance Micro Concrete) technology used in the reinforcement and repair of carrier elements. Advantages of these systems are simple and fast application, high durability and the rigidity of the structure does not change since there is no mass increase in the intervention.
Mapewrap EQ sistem
This is a patented, certified system developed to make buildings safer by preventing the collapse of partition and buffer walls and ceilings. The system consists of MapeWrap EQ Net fiberglass reinforcement, which bonds perfectly to surfaces coated with MapeWrap application. MapeWrap EQ Adhesive is a water dispersed polyurethane adhesive. It prevents tipping when applied to buffers and partition walls, and prevents collapse when applied to ceilings.
Planitop HPC technology (High Performance Micro Concrete)
This is a special reinforcement system consisting of very high compressive strength and high ductility micro concrete with the capacity to absorb high fracture loads. This product takes advantage of the residual tensile strength of steel fiber, which is high in its content and is a fiber-reinforced concrete type that increases the overall bearing capacity and flexibility of structures (two features that are important in areas under seismic risk). Planitop HPC, a special formula included in this technology, has been developed to strengthen the load-bearing structures (beams, columns, connections) with a 1.5 – 3 cm thick compact coating layer by applying a 1.5 – 2.5 cm thick reinforced compact layer on brick/cement, wooden floors and concrete exterior and it is used with the developed Planitop HPC Floor to strengthen it without using any more reinforcements.
Mapei FRG system
This is a reinforcement system developed for brick, stone, tuff and mixed masonry structures, consisting of the application of an inorganic, cementitious or lime-based matrix that provides excellent chemical-physical and elastic-mechanical compatibility with the surface, as well as a glass or basalt fiber mesh. The reinforcement system is applied to the building to increase the shear strength of the load-bearing walls by eliminating the lack of tensile strength in the walls and makes walls more ductile without changing their mass or stiffness. The strengthening system offers some important advantages when used in buildings for historical or artistic purposes. Instead of building a new structure, the system works in parallel without changing the existing structure and the distribution of the structure’s mass and stiffness.
Mapei FRP system
This is a building reinforcement system containing high and very high strength fiber and epoxy matrices, specially formulated for repair, static and seismic improvement of buildings made of normal, prestressed and reinforced concrete, steel, masonry or wood. There are several types of fibers that characterize this type of structural composite: carbon, glass, steel and basalt. This system improves the performance characteristics of buildings by increasing their strength and ductility.
