Damage assessment, regional ground motion record evaluation, and seismic performance analysis of a high-rise 14-story dual system building after the 2023 Kahramanmaras, earthquakes

On February 6, 2023, T & uuml;rkiye experienced catastrophic Mw 7.8 and 7.6 earthquakes, severely affecting several cities, including Malatya. This study presents a comprehensive structural assessment of a 14-story reinforced concrete building with a symmetric layout in Malatya, one of the cities most impacted by these earthquakes. It uniquely integrates experimental material characterization with advanced seismic nonlinear dynamic analysis (NDA). Unlike conventional post-earthquake studies that rely on visual assessments, this research is distinguished by its data-driven approach. 56 core concrete samples were extracted to determine actual material strengths, and rebar properties were directly measured after removing the concrete cover. These experimentally derived properties were incorporated into a structural model and subjected to seismic performance analysis. The analytical damage predictions closely matched the observed post-earthquake damage, highlighting the importance of accurate material data. Moreover, the study evaluates specifically Malatya's seismic hazard levels by comparing earthquake risk parameters from T & uuml;rkiye's last two seismic codes (TEC-2007 and TBEC-2018) and analyzing regional acceleration spectra. Furthermore, it presents extensive field observations of structural damage to reinforced concrete buildings in Malatya, identifying key vulnerabilities. By integrating real material properties into the numerical model, this research enhances the reliability of predictive models and provides a robust framework for post-earthquake evaluation.