Failure of buildings during Sultandagi Earthquake

An Eber (Afyon) centered earthquake happened on February 3, 2002, at 9:11 a.m. which had a magnitude of 6.2 and a depth of 22 km. On the same day, another earthquake occurred at 11:26 a.m. that had a magnitude of 5.8 and a depth of 10 km, but this was Cay (Afyon) centered. Afyon province, which is located within an area bounded by approximately 30–32E and 38–39N, was severely affected by the Cay–Eber earthquake. Since these two earthquakes happened on Sultandagi fault, therefore they are called as one, as “Sultandagi Quake” in the literature. In this paper, initially the geological properties of these earthquakes are determined and then the structural failures of timber (himis–bagdadi), masonry (adobe and brick) as well as reinforced concrete structures at this location are studied. Required structural precautions and failures are explained for the structures at this location as a safety wall for probable earthquakes.

► The geological properties of specific earthquakes are determined.
► The structural failures of timber, masonry and reinforced concrete structures are studied.
► Structural precautions and failures are explained as a safety wall for probable earthquakes.