Back analysis of ground vibrations which cause cracks in buildings in residential areas Karakuyu (Dinar, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey)

The Karakuyu village (Dinar) is located in the south-western Turkey. Karakuyu settlement area suffered from ground vibration. There are two reasons for ground vibration in that area. One of them is earthquake and other is rock blasting. Geological structure and tectonics have great influence on vibrations in the area. An earthquake of magnitude Ms = 6.1 occurred on 1 October 1995, causing causalities and damage to buildings in Dinar and its vicinity. The earthquake forces during the main shock were amplified by poor dynamic characteristics of alluvial soils, thus resulting in damage to buildings. Limestone quarries are other source of ground vibration because of blasting. In this study, the source of vibration causing cracks in buildings in the Karakuyu residential area was investigated. Blasting at limestone quarries and past earthquake activities are analysed of ground vibrations which cause cracks in buildings. In the scope of this study, the source of the vibrations which cause the observed cracks in buildings were investigated using back analysis. As a result of the study, earthquake-induced vibrations on structural behaviour of buildings were found critical.