Example model for earthquake-resistant building

A team of 5 students from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) made it to the finals of the Earthquake-Resistant Building Design Competition organized by the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution (DASK). As required by the competition format, the young team designed a 30-story hotel named ‘Marsyas’ to be constructed in the Dinar district of Afyonkarahisar. They became one of the 21 teams across Turkey to reach the finals. The competition, aimed at increasing students' awareness of earthquakes and enhancing their earthquake-resistant building design skills, will hold its final round in Istanbul on May 14-16, 2025.

The team, consisting of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Civil Engineering students Buket Dinç, Dağlar Efe Aslan, Arvin Mobasher, Rumeysa Konyar, and Architecture student Ayşe Uzun, went through a comprehensive preparation process for the competition, which was held under the theme ‘Yarının Mühendisleriyle Geleceğimizi Sağlamlaştırıyoruz’ (Strengthening Our Future with the Engineers of Tomorrow).

STEPS TO ENSURE EARTHQUAKE SAFETY

The young team, who completed their work under the coordination of Asst. Prof. Dr. Egemen Sönmez, stood out with their hotel design, which included social facilities, offices, and shops. Explaining all the technical details such as how the structural system composed of beams, columns, shear walls, and cross braces would be shaped to prevent damage to the building during a possible earthquake, the students modeled the structure on a computer and conducted its earthquake analysis. Successfully making it to the finals among many projects, IUE students set their sights on winning first place.

WILL RAISE AWARENESS

Congratulating the students who reached the finals, Head of IUE Department of Civil Engineering, Prof. Dr. Celalettin Kozanoğlu said, “The competition is very valuable and beneficial as it offers students the opportunity to work on earthquake-resistant high-rise building design, promotes the profession of earthquake engineering, and increases awareness of earthquakes and earthquake-resistant buildings. Reaching the finals in such a prestigious competition is already a great achievement. We are proud of our students who are representing our University in the best possible way, and we wish them success in the finals.”

LASTED TWO MONTHS

Sharing details about the project, Asst. Prof. Dr. Egemen Sönmez said, “As part of the competition, we were asked to design a hotel building expected to be located in the Dinar district of Afyonkarahisar and to prepare a building model. While doing this, we were required to comply with specified architectural and structural constraints and to ensure the building had a high benefit/cost ratio. Our students carried out meticulous work over about two months. We tested the earthquake performance of the building using structural analysis programs. The main goal here was to design the building to ensure life safety during an earthquake and to prevent it from sustaining damage severe enough to cause collapse under the largest expected earthquake impact. While doing all this, of course, we also wanted the building to be functional and aesthetically appealing in its design. I believe we have delivered a successful project, and I congratulate all our students.”