M.Yasa Kılınç
Kordsa Construction Reinforcement Business Unit Sales and Marketing Group Manager
Turkiye once again confronted the reality of the earthquake. The 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes that occurred in Elbistan and Pazarcık districts in Kahramanmaraş brought up the importance of earthquake preparations in our country.
In order to minimize the damage in possible earthquakes that may occur in the coming period, the existing building stock should be reinforced as soon as possible or the structures should be made earthquake resistant by demolishing and rebuilding.
Founded 50 years ago as a subsidiary of Sabancı Holding to produce cord fabric, Kordsa has transferred its experience in tire reinforcement to the composite and construction reinforcement markets. As Kordsa, a global player in the Tire, Composite and Construction Reinforcement Technologies markets, we take a leading role by developing value- creatingtechnologiesinlinewith“WeReinforceLife,”takingresponsibility for making our country’s building stock earthquake resistant. Consisting of expert and competent engineers, Our Construction Reinforcement Business Unit will lead the production of special solutions for projects and the correct application of reinforcement with carbon fiber polymer.
Our goal in Construction Reinforcement Technologies is to contribute to our country’s ability to build a safer and stronger future with our products that provide long-term strength in concrete structures and our competence in structural reinforcement solutions. On the other hand, we are developing a new generation of concrete reinforcement synthetic fiber products that increase the duration of concrete by utilising our expertise in synthetic fiber technologies and continuing our work to expand our product line.
A safe future with reinforced structures
It is possible to have a strong and safe future with the buildings that are designed in accordance with the regulations and made with the right manufacturing and workmanship in accordance with the project of the building. For this purpose, it is necessary to take into account the soil characteristics in the design of the structure, to use quality materials in accordance with the standards, to take into account the loads and earthquake forces that will affect the structure during the design phase of the structure, to inspect the structure properly under construction, to work in accordance with engineering principles and rules. But when we look at the current situation, there are many structures that are not built in accordance with the regulation, that have been worn out over time or that have changed purpose for use. That’s where the issue of “reinforcement” which we are also experts on, comes in.
Reinforcement is the operations carried out to increase the performance of undamaged or previously repaired structures and to bring the building elements to a prescribed safety level. During its lifetime, the structure’s load capacity, function, required qualifications may change or the building performance may need to be increased. Instead of demolishing the structure in such cases, the building can be reinforced with the appropriate reinforcement method. Carbon fiber polymers can be used for the purpose of gaining durability to the structure in cases that are damaged in an earthquake or cause damage to the structural elements due to external mechanical factors, as well as they can be preferred in post-construction design changes.
In the examination of the building’s durability to earthquakes, the study is carried out according to the Principles of Risk Building Detection and Earthquake Performance Analysis of the Turkish Building Earthquake Regulation, the current condition of the structure, structural deficiencies and inadequacies are determined, and according to the results of the examination, a decision on reinforcement or demolition can be made.
Reinforcement of structures offers cost and time advantages
When we look at the methods of reinforcing structures, we can count reinforcement technologies with reinforced concrete column jacketing, reinforcement with steel elements, seismic insulators and fibre polymers. Among these, Carbon Fiber Polymer technology stands out a little more with its advantages such as low density, high durability and easy application. In this technique, a fabric woven from carbon fibers, one of the strongest materials in the world, is applied to the surface with a polymer resin, which is usually epoxy, increasing the durability of the surfaces on which it is applied, by curing the fibers and becoming composite.
Reinforcement experience by Kratos
Kratos has its signature in mega projects of Turkiye. Even at the time when it was newly introduced to the market, the bridge, tunnel, viaduct and rail systems projects of our country were reinforced with Kratos synthetic fiber reinforcements with the confidence given by Kordsa’s expertise. Getting the right material, the right project and the right aplicator elements together is the most important point here. Kratos Structural Reinforcement products increase the bending moment and shear strength capacity of structures and eliminate structural deficiencies with carbon fiber polymers. In this way, it improves the performance of the structure. In addition, it increases the compressive strength and ductility of the columns of the structures, strengthens them against bending and shearing, and increases their load-bearing capacity.
Why carbon fiber polymer?
Carbon Fiber Polymer is mainly composite products made with high- strength carbon fibers and is a fairly lightweight material. Thanks to its easy shape, it is applied quickly; therefore, it does not bring additional load to the applied surface.
Considering that Carbon Fiber Polymers are ideal for structures in need of reinforcement, such as increasing load-bearing capacity, improving structural performance, eliminating structural or corrosion-related damage and deficiencies, they can be applied in a very wide range. Carbon fiber polymers can be easily preferred for reinforcing hospitals, educational buildings, public buildings, industrial structures, silos, bridges and viaducts, residential buildings, natural gas and oil pipelines and ports.
Application requires special expertise
Carbon fabric is prepared in appropriate sizes before application. After the special resin mixture is applied to the concrete with a roller, it is stretched in line with the cut fabric fibers and glued to the surface manually, ensuring there is no air left. The number of coat times of the carbon fiber fabric is determined according to the structural deficiencies of the bearing elements in the reinforcement project. In multi-layer fiber polymer applications, Kratos Prime Resin should be applied with a roller between each layer and the fiber polymer fabric should be pressed with a roller and laminated in the adhesive. Although it is so easy to explain, it should be preferred that the application is done by competent people, with great care and attention during the application process.
In order for the reinforcement project of the examined structure to be prepared, it is necessary to complete the structure performance analysis by an expert civil engineer, determine the elements to be reinforced, determine the reinforcement method and prepare static detail projects. After the architectural relay and static reinforcement projects are presented, the reinforcement license is obtained and its application is started with carbon fiber polymer by competent people.
By combining our expertise in composite and synthetic fiber technologies with our competencies in structural reinforcement solutions, we are ready to take responsibility for making the building stock of our country earthquake resistant and to contribute by working with relevant institutions.