A few days ago, a 6.2 (ML) earthquake hit Georgia. Strong tremors were felt countrywide, causing fear among the population. GEORGIA TODAY talked to Jihat Chakir, head of the largest construction companies Green Diamond Project and Macro Construction, about how safe their residents are in their homes, how well the construction companies comply with the regulations when they are constructing new estates, and whether our citizens have a reason to fear this and other safety details.
“The buildings of “Green Diamond” are constructed entirely in accordance with seismic regulations and are designed for earthquakes of magnitude 8 (ML),” Chakir tells us. “Compliance with all the conditions provided by the regulations is ensured in line with the applicable laws. Even before starting construction, a geophysical survey is conducted on the entire construction site at the design phase, and within the boundaries of each building block, a seismic and specific resistance measurement is made, and only then the project is begun. The second phase of the “Green Diamond” residential complex has already been completed and more than 600 families already live there. Protection is among the main priorities of our company,” he says.
Tell us what technical details ensure the seismic resistance of the buildings.
High strength concrete of C 30 category is used at the foundations and on all floors.
A reinforced concrete carcass system is used in the project. All vertical bearing elements in residential buildings are constructed with reinforced concrete, and walls are also reinforced concrete, designed following the conditions of “Systems for which all earthquake impacts are carried by reinforced concrete walls.” Building foundations are arranged as massive raft foundations, meaning the full concrete foundation is reinforced.
A tunnel formwork construction method is used in taller buildings and others are constructed using the monolith system.
In the Green Diamond Project, buildings are designed completely in compliance with the earthquake regulations. All conditions required by the regulation are provided for. Geophysical studies under each block and resistivity measurements and seismic breaking measurements are done in the whole area.
In the Green Diamond Project, roofs, floors, walls and ceilings are insulated. Furthermore, earth sand lightening rods are installed.
Interview by Mariam Mtivlishvili
