Seismic Bearing Capacity Failure and Overturning of ‘Terveler’ Building in Adapazari, 1999

The paper investigates some aspects of the rocking response of structures, the foundations of which are allowed to uplift from their base. Observed behaviour of foundations in Adapazari during the 17-8-99 Izmit (Kocaeli) Earthquake is outlined. Settlement, tilting, and complete overturning of numerous buildings during this devastating earthquake are attributed to the interplay between the yielding/liquefying soil and the rocking/uplifting foundation, under large inertial overturning moments generated by the slender buildings. The overturning of Terveler building is studied in detail. The scope of the study is to present the facts of these cases and outline some plausible mechanisms of overturning