Innovative Seismic Isolation Technology

Innovative Seismic Isolation Technology Ferrero Fındık's hazelnut processing plant in Düzce is being rebuilt with innovative seismic isolation and damping technologies. The plant will serve as an example for post-earthquake sustainability in Turkey and worldwide. Ferrero Fındık, which continues its operations with the goal of creating value for the hazelnut sector, has received top marks from authorities for its new plant that will set an example for post-earthquake sustainability in Turkey and worldwide. Drawing on the expertise of a firm that designs production facilities with cutting-edge technology worldwide, the company has undertaken a major investment. In its efforts to modernize the hazelnut value chain in Turkey, it has implemented a project to rebuild its hazelnut processing plant in Düzce. Authorities from the Presidential Investment Office and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change visited and inspected the plant after foundation work was completed using innovative seismic isolation technology. Ferrero Fındık Düzce Plant Project Technical Advisor Prof. Dr. Cenk Alhan, Faculty Member of the Civil Engineering Department at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, and Structural Design Engineer Mert Hacıemiroğlu, Civil Engineer, also delivered a presentation to participants on the design details of the project. The plant, located near a fault line, will be protected from earthquakes with seismic isolation technology Pointing out that Düzce is a region with high earthquake risk, Alhan stated in his remarks: "The location of the plant is quite close to the North East Anatolian Fault Line, one of a limited number of fault lines in the world capable of producing major earthquakes. Moreover, the ground has low bearing capacity and carries liquefaction risk. In the event of an earthquake, both horizontal and vertical ground movements could be more significant. In industrial facilities, uninterrupted operations after earthquakes is important for preventing damage to the national economy. For this reason, investment in seismic isolation and damping systems to build the most resilient plant possible against high earthquake risk is of major importance for post-earthquake sustainability. In this respect, a plant is being built that will serve as a 'best practice' example in Turkey and worldwide."

An exemplary plant featuring many firsts in Turkey and worldwide

Noting that the plant features many firsts, Alhan stated that two differently earthquake-isolated structures are being built at the plant, saying "Beyond just ensuring safety, the goal at the plant was to prevent the earthquake from damaging the structure at all and to ensure production is not interrupted. Earthquake isolation technology, also known as seismic isolation, was used. In this way, the plant gains the capability to move 100 cm in every direction during an earthquake. At the same time, the effective earthquake forces transmitted to the structure are significantly reduced. Moreover, dampers were used, which are an advanced technology product not frequently used even in seismically isolated structures. Thanks to these devices, a significant portion of earthquake energy can be dissipated without being transmitted to the structure."

Hazelnut silos of a type rarely seen worldwide are being built

Stating that the Düzce plant is also building a hazelnut storage silo with characteristics rarely seen worldwide, Alhan said: "Hazelnut storage silos will be located on a single reinforced concrete floor isolated with seismic isolation devices. While classic silo structures designed without isolation have quite low earthquake performance objectives, this project aims for uninterrupted operation of the production line. Thanks to lead-core rubber isolators, the silos will be able to move 90 cm in every direction during an earthquake."

What is seismic isolation?

Seismic isolation is achieved by placing rubber or sliding isolation units, also known as isolators, with high horizontal flexibility between the foundation and superstructure. In this way, the horizontal oscillation period of the structure increases, making it flexible. Thus, high-frequency earthquake vibrations at foundation level are isolated, and the effect of the earthquake on the superstructure can easily be reduced to one-fourth or one-fifth.