The November 1999 Duzce Earthquake: Post-Earthquake Investigation of the Structures on the TEM

Abstract

Almost 3 months after the devastating Kocaeli earthquake of August 17, 1999, another earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.2 hit Turkey on November 12, 1999. Called the Duzce earthquake, it caused nearly 1,000 fatalities and 5,000 injuries. The damage to buildings was similar to that sustained during the Kocaeli earthquake. Two viaducts and one tunnel under construction exhibited extensive damage. The contents of this report are based on a reconnaissance survey of bridge and tunnel sites along the Trans-European Motorway (TEM) segment under construction near Bolu, conducted by the Federal Highway Administration team dispatched to Turkey on November 28, 1999. During this survey: (1) the roadway alignment and the physical condition of Bolu Viaducts #1 and #2 and Bolu Bridge #2 were observed; (2) superstructure damage to Viaduct #1 was viewed from both abutments and from atop Piers #4, #5, and #10 (the first expansion joint from the western abutment of the westbound span); (3) damage to Bolu Bridge #2 was viewed from the west abutment seat and from atop the first pier east of the western abutment of the eastbound span; and (4) the Bolu Tunnel was inspected from the Elmalik portal westward to the collapse.