A NEW MILESTONE IN PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTION

The precast concrete technology, being used in Turkey since the 1970s, has found a new source in line with today’s standards and needs. Prof. Dr. Celal Kozanoğlu, Faculty Member, Department of Civil Engineering, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), pointed out the importance of a country, especially one in a very active seismic area, having its own building standards in terms of occupational and public health.

Turkish Precast Concrete Association, which was founded in 1984 to promote the use of high quality and durable precast concrete in the country, re-identified the “Precast Ferrocement and Prestressed Concrete Buildings” standards based on today’s standards and needs. Turkish Standards Committee within the Turkish Precast Concrete Association established the standards, which went into effect in 1992 for the first time. Prof. Dr. Kozanoğlu, who participated in the committee works of the Association, called attention to the fact that the updates were made by considering the Turkish Seismic Code. Prof. Dr. Kozanoğlu pointed that the Turkish standard of the precast concrete buildings were enriched quantitatively and tailored to the current legislation. “The newly published Precast Concrete Structures Handbook will be used as an important reference by Turkish construction industry, Turkish civil engineers, and official approval authorities in both construction design and implementation stages,” said Prof. Dr. Kozanoğlu.

Turkey is located in a very active seismic area, pointed Prof. Dr. Kozanoğlu and reminded that the quality and durable buildings in demand should not only be resistant to earthquake, but to other dangers such as fires, etc. Prof. Dr. Kozanoğlu said, “Long-term experiences confirmed that high-quality and modern building systems such as Precast Concrete Technology prevented job-related accidents, loss of life and property, and saved time and materials. I have worked for many years in the technical committee established by the Turkish Precast Concrete Association to satisfy the country’s needs in this area. The precast concrete technology was being used in our country since the 1970s; however, we always followed the standards and regulations of other countries. It is very important to have established a Turkish Standard in this area”.