What Is Structural Seismic Safety?
Structural seismic safety is the use of engineering methods to determine how a structure will behave under potential earthquake effects, what level of performance its load-bearing system will achieve, and whether the structure requires intervention for safety.
This assessment is not merely about identifying existing damage or structural deficiencies. The structure's load-bearing system, material properties, geometry, soil conditions, intended use and target performance level are all considered together.
We Get to Know the Structure, Model Its Behavior and Determine Its Performance
A sound seismic safety assessment begins with an accurate definition of the structure's actual characteristics.
We review existing drawings and documents; where needed, we carry out as-built surveys, material investigations and on-site measurements; and we transfer the information obtained into a numerical model of the structure.
Using current engineering methods and advanced analysis tools, we evaluate the structure's behavior under earthquake effects and identify critical members and potential structural deficiencies.
Our Aim Is Not Just to Say “At Risk”
An assessment of a structure's seismic safety should not end with simply stating whether the structure is adequate or inadequate.
At SEBİZA, we evaluate analysis results together with the structure's intended use, the characteristics of its load-bearing system, the type of structural deficiencies, intervention options, feasibility, cost and continuity of use.
Our aim is not only to identify the problem, but to determine which intervention is the most appropriate from a technical and economic standpoint.
Strengthening Engineering
Strengthening is the set of engineering interventions made to the load-bearing system in order to raise the seismic performance of an existing structure to the target safety level.
Every structure differs in its load-bearing system, material properties, use and structural deficiencies. For this reason, we do not consider it right to apply a standard strengthening solution to every structure.
We develop strengthening alternatives suited to the structure's characteristics, and we evaluate conventional and innovative methods together in terms of safety, feasibility, cost and the extent of intervention in the structure.
Strengthening Is an Optimization Problem
It is not enough for a strengthening solution merely to meet code requirements.
The intervention must also be appropriate in terms of safety, cost, implementation time, continuity of use, architectural impact and the extent of intervention in the structure.
We therefore compare different strengthening scenarios and aim to develop the solution that best suits the implementation conditions while achieving the required structural performance.
Strengthening or Reconstruction?
Strengthening may be technically possible for every structure; however, not every strengthening investment is the right decision economically or functionally.
For this reason, where needed, we evaluate strengthening and reconstruction alternatives side by side. In the decision process, we consider criteria such as strengthening cost, renovation and repair needs, implementation time, the period during which the structure will be out of use, remaining service life, usage requirements and reconstruction cost.
In this way, beyond what is technically possible, we help the institution or building owner arrive at the most rational investment decision.
From a Single Structure to a Building Portfolio
Seismic safety is not an issue to be assessed only at the scale of a single structure.
For public institutions, municipalities, industrial organizations, educational institutions and large enterprises with many buildings, one of the key questions is which structure should be addressed first.
With the risk assessment and decision support approaches we have developed at SEBİZA, we evaluate building portfolios as a whole, prioritize structures by risk level, and build a data-driven basis for planning detailed investigations and strengthening or renewal investments.
In this way, we help direct limited resources to the structures that need them most.
From Analysis to Implementation
SEBİZA's approach is not limited to performance analysis or preparing technical reports. Where needed, we take part in the entire process: Assessment of the Existing Condition → Numerical Modeling → Performance Analysis → Intervention Decision → Strengthening Design → Implementation Support.
Thanks to this holistic approach, we manage the entire process, from determining the structure's existing condition to developing a feasible engineering solution, within a single technical framework.
From Measurement and Analysis to Decision
Our main goal in seismic safety work is not just to generate technical data.
Our aim is to turn the data obtained and the analysis results into actionable engineering decisions.
The SEBİZA Seismic Safety Approach: We Get to Know the Structure → We Model It → We Analyze It → We Determine Its Performance → We Develop Solutions → We Support the Decision.
We do not just identify risk; we turn it into the right intervention decision.