Quality Ready-Mixed Concrete and Correct Concrete Application Will Save Lives

Yavuz Işık, Chairman of European Ready Mixed Concrete Organisation (ERMCO) and Turkey Ready Mixed Concrete Association, issued a statement regarding the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Sea of Marmara off Istanbul Silivri on 26 September 2019.

Işık noted that the transformation of 1.5 million housing units designated as urgent and priority under the Urban Transformation Action Plan would be achieved within 5 years. Işık also stated that 6.7 million earthquake-resistant housing units in Turkey need to be urgently renewed as part of urban transformation efforts. Yavuz Işık, Chairman of European Ready Mixed Concrete Organisation (ERMCO) and Turkey Ready Mixed Concrete Association, stressed that the key to success in this matter lies in the use of quality concrete and proper concrete application practices. Yavuz Işık made important remarks, noting that just as our country has experienced many devastating earthquakes in the past, without taking precautions we will suffer significant loss of life and property from earthquakes that will occur frequently in the future: "When we examine the new Turkey Earthquake Hazard Map that came into effect in 2019, we see that more than 70 percent of our population lives in areas with 'high earthquake risk'.

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation has also stated that 6.7 million housing units are not earthquake-resistant and need to be renewed. Over the past 58 years, 58,202 citizens have lost their lives in earthquakes, 122,096 people have been injured, and approximately 411,465 buildings have collapsed or suffered severe damage.

As a result, on average 1,003 citizens lose their lives annually and 7,094 buildings collapse due to earthquakes. According to data from the Earthquake Department of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 308,030 earthquakes have occurred in our country since the Marmara Earthquake on 17 August 1999. The 5.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Sea of Marmara off Istanbul Silivri on 26 September 2019 once again demonstrates the importance of urban transformation. Earthquakes can occur anywhere and at any time, and it is impossible to predict earthquakes in advance. The two most effective ways to reduce the damage caused by earthquakes are to construct earthquake-resistant structures using quality, proven-safe concrete and to raise public awareness against earthquakes. Finally, the Urban Transformation Action Plan has been announced by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation, and it has been stated that the transformation of 1.5 million housing units, designated as urgent and priority out of 6.7 million units, will be achieved within 5 years. Urban transformation efforts must be accelerated. Today, the necessary steps must be taken to renew the 6.7 million earthquake-resistant housing units in Turkey. The key to success in urban transformation is the use of quality concrete and proper concrete application practices. First and foremost, as a citizen, I expect this to be realised as soon as possible."

Quality Ready Mixed Concrete with QAS Certificate Will Save Lives

Işık stated that the use and supervision of quality concrete would make it possible to survive earthquakes with minimal damage, and pointed out that research shows that the use of non-standard concrete, application and design errors are among the major causes of earthquake destruction. Işık said: "In our country, which needs earthquake-resistant structures, the most important problem of the ready mixed concrete sector is that some producers engage in uncontrolled, low-quality production. As THBB, our priority is to inform all stakeholders and the public about these producers, to explain the importance of the THBB Quality Assurance System (QAS), and to work towards ensuring that all concrete used in our country is produced with quality. Our Association, which aims to guarantee quality in the ready mixed concrete field, ensures the production of quality and high-strength class concrete through Quality Assurance System (QAS) inspections. In addition to on-site inspections of concrete production facilities, QAS also carries out unannounced product inspections, proving its impartiality and contributing to the widespread use of quality concrete. Inspection covering the entire concrete production process is an unavoidable requirement for producing buildings resistant to earthquakes and other external effects. Quality ready mixed concrete with QAS certificate used in the construction of new buildings and urban transformation projects will save many lives in the event of a possible earthquake. The key to success in urban transformation is the use of quality concrete and proper concrete application practices." he said. Yavuz Işık stated that THBB conducts awareness campaigns on earthquake-resistant building design and ready mixed concrete application practices for both its members and concrete users. Recalling that since its establishment, THBB has organised seminars throughout the country for the production and use of quality concrete in accordance with standards, Işık said: "In these seminars held periodically in various regions of Turkey, where subjects such as Concrete Components, Fresh Concrete, Concrete Placement and Curing, Concrete Strength and Durability, Special Concretes, and Quality Control in Concrete are discussed, we explain to concrete users – namely contractors, architects, engineers, officials of public authorities related to concrete, building inspection company representatives and concrete producers – the correct application of concrete. In the last two years we have conducted 21 seminars in 17 different provinces. We are doing our part and will continue to do so for raising public awareness on quality construction and earthquakes" he said.

THBB Invites All Concrete Producers to QAS System

Noting that 65 percent of concrete produced in Turkey is produced by Turkey Ready Mixed Concrete Association members with QAS certificate, Yavuz Işık stated: "This ratio needs to be much higher for earthquake-resistant construction. Concrete facilities joining the QAS System achieve more stable production as a result of intensive controls, and quality deviations decrease. Thus, both quality and economical production is ensured. As a result of ensuring production in accordance with standards, trust is established between concrete producers and consumers. QAS-certified concrete producers are particularly preferred because they apply impartial and correct supervision to all producers in the sector. In this direction, we invite all concrete producers to join the QAS System to ensure production in accordance with standards." he concluded with these important remarks.