INVESTIGATION OF CORNER FAILURE MECHANISMS OF MASONRY STRUCTURESCAUSED BY THE 6 FEBRUARY 2023 KAHRAMANMARAS EARTHQUAKES IN MALATYA

Abstract

Corner failure mechanisms observed in masonry structures generally result in severe cases such as
large amount of material damage, out of use or loss of life. Despite these negative effects, there has been limited
research on the corner failure mechanism and the number of studies based on observations after the earthquake
is much less. Within this study, first of all, literature information about the corner failure mechanism is presented
and brief information is given about how numerical and experimental studies are carried out to investigate this
failure mechanism. Afterwards, corner failure mechanisms in masonry structures in Malatya after the
earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, were investigated. In the examinations, it was determined
that the corner collapse mechanism was caused by insufficient wall-roof connection, insufficient wall-slab
connection, insufficient axial load, insufficient material strength, poor workmanship, and lack of engineering
service. In addition, the corner failure mechanism has been observed as out-of-plane failure in many structures
which is the most observed and known failure type in masonry structures, and it has been determined that the
corner failure mechanism is triggered by out-of-plane and in-plane failure.