11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components

ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

A Structural Condition Assessment;Environmental Agents

versus Structural FailuresThe Case of Ataturk Culture
Center AKM,Istanbul, Türkiye

Kemal Çayırlı 1

T 72

ABSTRACT

A structural condition assessment is partially conducted in a specified method to reveal environmental

agents that are causes of structural failures in the case of AKM. By suggesting a perceptually outlined
assessment strategy, a structure of the case study is initiated to look closely structural partitions of the
front foyer. Various site survey techniques, visual observation, measuring, interviewing and relate
items are issued to collect rough data according to symptoms of the structural failures and these data
are transformed into models of the symptoms. Furthermore, environmental agents, like wind, are
identified that are stated as causes. Specific titles of the failures according to the symptoms, vibration
of vertical member -louvers and canvas behavior of curtain wall -glass surface are named and related
with corresponding environmental agents to conclude the case study that the front foyer of AKM
partly has a sufficient service life.

KEYWORDS

Structural Condition Assessment, Environmental Agents, Wind, Façade, Failures,

1
Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Department of Architecture, Eskişehir, 26030
,Phone +90 222 230 3972-120 kemalcayirli@gmail.com
 11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components
ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

1. INTRODUCTION

A building could be an object of cultural heritage in any country according to the certain way reading
of its features no matter its construction date. Especially; when its features seem to be so identical, it
becomes much more crucial to keep and improve its role not only in the position of the discipline but
also in the atmosphere of the public realm by applying the concept of durability in overall building.
Durability means to extent overall service life of a building, its components and materials. According
to Feilden, [1982], “conservation” and “renovation” could be practically related with the concept of
durability in the domain of historical buildings. This understanding fundamentally covers rejuvenating
the building by preserving the image of the building in terms of its original systematic and main
characteristics while applying current construction methods and materials for extending the service life
of the building.

According to Modena, [2004], all conservations consist basically of actions taken to prevent decay,
and within this objective it also includes management of change and presentation of the object so that
intent of messages conveyed by the object are made comprehensible and without distortion.
Furthermore, architectural conservation is more complex; first because a building must continue to
stand up; secondly, economic factors usually dictate that it should remain in use; thirdly, it has to resist
the effects of climate; and lastly, a whole team of ‘professionals’ have to collaborate.

When evaluating economic factors, the concepts of maintenance and renewal of the overall structure
need to be challenged y considering all the pros and cons regarding maintenance issues. When the the
concept of sustainability is considered in the case of AKM, then maintenance is a first priority, as in
this instance sustainability of the AKM should be understood from a basis of cultural and social
concern for this historical structure, given that the AKM is also central to its modern public image in
Turkey.

Climatic effects are importance in this case study because of the geographical location of the building
in Istanbul, which is located in proximity to Taksim Square. Taksim Square is a location subjected to
considerable wind effects in particular on the west façade of the AKM. Although symptoms of failure
are not clearly perceived at the first glance, the evidences of failure direct that vertical louver and glass
curtain wall as partitions of the façade system should be issued as issues for the structural condition
assessment. The partitions of the façade seem so critical not only in the concept of the facility
management but also public appreciation of the building image.

The fourth notion of conservation actions as suggested by Modena [2004] relates to the requirement
for collaboration among ‘professionals’. This implies that for the process to be effective, it must obtain
contributions from other disciplines needed to apply the proper procedures to bring about the
necessary conservation measures. Specifically, when conducting this case study, precise information
was needed regarding the wind speeds and direction and related behavior characteristics in the upper
structure of the urban land in Istanbul.

The case study was conducted by applying a systematic process of structural condition assessment to
distinguish critical symptoms on the structural system and its partitions that need to be revised to
extent and improve the building service life and quality as much as possible in the example of the
selected part, the front foyer and west façade of AKM. Beyond the process of the assessment, the
concept of durability and sustainability could be extensively correlated as important partitions of
design profession in nowadays as further applications of the study.

2. A CASE STUDY: The FRONT FOYER in AKM

In this section; specific data, information and a specific method of analysis about the front foyer of
AKM are intend to provide a proper method and useful example for conducting a structural condition
assessment methodology. Specifically detailed parts are determined to open up the topic in discussion

T 72, A Structural Condition Assessment; Environmental Agents versus Structural Failures, Kemal Çayırlı
 11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components
ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

according to preliminary strategy of the case study such as site survey and available building
specifications on the research issues; and static and dynamic loads.

The first part of this section provides an outline of the proposed assessment outline that reflects on an
individual understanding and perception of the research process. The second part focuses on a physical
definition and materialistic description of the front foyer of the AKM and gives a brief explanation of
the space. Regarding symptoms of structural failure, basic graphics of visual observations obtained
from an on-site survey are drafted and described. Building inspection data, in which the building
movements have been monitored, form the basis for developing failure diagnosis evaluation models.
Confronting possible environmental agents to symptoms of structural failure is a content of the report
conclusion in that reason-result equations are established to clarify the environmental agents as causes.

2.1. A Proposed Condition Assessment Outline

To propose a condition assessment outline is an
individual outcome for understanding the process
of the case study.

The proposed assessment outline becomes a

priority for the researcher to limit the study to
predefined expectations; it also serves as a useful
guide. According to the outline, there is a
hierarchal process suggestion in order to apply a
directional approach while integrating
supplementary components from test methods to
concept of durability. Furthermore; “Inspection”
that is divided into three interrelated partitions
(context, design and object) directly supports the
hierarchical process in two different steps.
Fig. 1: A Chart of Proposed Assessment Outline

By combining within the ready-made concrete knowledge as references –literature and test methods, it
is expected to have a feedback process to reach a reliable end-result. In certain steps, there is a check
point to help ensure a cross control of the process.

Although the assessment outline is a proposition to be a guide, it is not run effectively and accordingly
as a result of lack of the local and referential resources. One of them is that even construction
documents of AKM could not be institutionally revealed. For this reason, it becomes a conceptual
statement that is not realized completely.

2.2. Description of the Space

According to TMMOB, Branch of Istanbul publication about AKM,

As a Part of Cultural Life: Theatre and the Buildings, and various
site visits, the sections of Description of the Space and Structural
System & Material are outlined. The Front Foyer of AKM, shown
as [A] in the scheme is specifically chosen to apply structural
condition assessment concept because of its fully exposed position
to multi environmental agents and its visually accessible partitions.
Because of that most of public access is on this side of the building
and consequently, it becomes a hinge point. This possibly increases
the effects of environmental agents on the components of this
space.
Facing West, the front foyer outlines a dimensional space of
Fig 2: Schemes of AKM
54.50x10.80x25.70 m dimensional space outline that covers
whole façade, as an identical image of the building.

T 72, A Structural Condition Assessment; Environmental Agents versus Structural Failures, Kemal Çayırlı
 11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components
ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

The vertical façade within a horizontally abstracted of a stage curtain defines the civic building image
in the square of Taksim that is one of the most important public spaces of Istanbul.

The foyer also gives a unique baseline to the building circulation system. Major performance halls in
the AKM are accessed from this foyer. Although, it gives a sense of a single volume from outside, it is
divided into three non-uniform sub foyers in the building.

2.3. Structural System & Material

A close look to the front foyer reveals itself that

multiple structural systems and materials are
integrated into a unified space. It varies from
reinforced concrete applications to structural
metals; steel and aluminum. In addition to the
specified and original structural detailing, nature
of materialistic appearances are established in a
way of realistic presentation.

Fig 3: Section & Plan of West Façade System

In the general structural appearance, skeleton frame system is applied through out the building.
Structural steel column-beam and reinforced concrete frame applications are unified into whole
volume of the front foyer. Four (4) channels of structural steel are composed of being a single column
of the façade and then it is connected to reinforced concrete portion of the building by I-beams. And, a
reinforced concrete slab completes the main floors and roof enclosure. In the underground portion of
the front foyer, structural steel columns are supported by single foot establishments and other
reinforced columns transfer load by single foot and shear wall integration.

Two layers of the façade, louvers and a curtain wall, define an image of the West façade. While
Grinatal Aluminum Louvers dominate the vertical portion of the west façade, a uniform glass curtain
wall covers the inner side of the façade. A single louver, (8,2-20,3-2570cm), is made of a corrosion
resistant grinatal which is an aluminum alloy (% 0,5-5 Si, % 0,7 Mg). With 7 segments and 3 pinpoint
connections to the main floor slabs of the front foyer, it has a rigid connection to the ground. At the
+22.20 level, there is a strip that connects all louvers to each other. The glass curtain wall is
constructed by 4.5-10cm metal members without any vertical or horizontal differentiations. It is
connected to structural steel column at three levels by edged connections and hinge type points.

2.4. Symptoms of Structural Failures

In the proposed condition assessment outline, the first stage of the assessment is site survey is pointed
as process. In the content of ‘Structural Condition Assessment’, by Ratay R.T. [c2005], the site survey
could be basically conducted by various steps: visual observation, measuring, photographing,
interviewing, probing, record keeping, documentation, and report preparation, as a directional
procedure. At this point, the visual observation step in the scope of the case study is initially directed
to focus on main partitions of the space; floor, ceiling and walls. Among the various symptoms in the
front foyer, the façade is specified to analyze deeply because of its vulnerability in terms of
environmental agents and its openness characteristics to site survey. Two main symptoms were
detected on the west façade of AKM. Non-Axial Deformation of the Vertical Louver and Non
Linearity of the Glass Curtain Wall. Both these items were selected to carry out further stages of the
proposed condition assessment outline.

T 72, A Structural Condition Assessment; Environmental Agents versus Structural Failures, Kemal Çayırlı
 11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components
ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

2.4.1. Non-Axial Deformation of Vertical Louver

Because of its closely integrated vertical
configuration within an image of gradually
opened up stage curtain, it is pretty difficult
to recognize with bare observation that
every vertical louver segment of the façade
has a defect. This defect is a non-axial
deformation through its length of grinatal
aluminum louver in various amounts and
directions. Fifty six (56) vertical louvers
within 7 segments at each louver have
fragmental characteristics that are nature of
the building elements.
Fig. 4.: Photographs of the Louvers

2.4.2. Non Linearity of Glass Curtain Wall

As a second layer of the façade, the glass curtain wall with almost 460 m2 gross area is under risk of
loosing its vertical linearity. The curtain wall that is composed of a uniform section of vertical and
horizontal mullions and glass surfaces has
rigid connections at the base and upper floor
and it is attached to the main column of the
foyer with a hinge type connection at three
different levels. In particular, there is a
limited hinge connection that looses its
position at the + 0.65 level. When all these
type of connections at the curtain wall are
considered, at this level there is only a
deformation on the hinge connections.

Fig 5: Photographs of the Curtain Wall

2.5. Evaluation Models of Object Inspections –The Building

As a result of visual observations from the site survey, simple models have been introduced to obtain
basic data from the site. These models are based on measuring, photographing, record keeping, and
documentation of physical substances that relate to with symptoms of structural failure in the foyer
space. According to the symptoms’ specifications, ground movement & settlement, vertical louver
deformation and glass curtain wall deflection models are developed and presented.

2.5.1 Vertical Louver Deformation

It should be mentioned that there is a compact visual perception of the louver system at the west
façade of AKM without perceiving any physical defect at the first glance. On the other hand, it should
be an expectation that the louver system is under critical treat of various environmental agents; wind,
temperature, and pollution, etc. since 1978.

T 72, A Structural Condition Assessment; Environmental Agents versus Structural Failures, Kemal Çayırlı
 11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components
ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

In Figure 6 one can identify

whether the deformation is on or
off of the vertical louver. For this
reason, each louver is coded (i.e.
1a or 11d) and fragmented
according to the number of
portions (i.e. h1, h2) and joints (i.e.
d1, d2) on the louver. Levels in
elevation are pointed along the
height of the louver to get numeric
data of possible deformations.
Fig. 6: The vertical louvers of West Façade

In Figure 7, there is an end result drafting of the visual observation about the louvers’ deformations.
The main result in the visual observation is that most of the louvers have a defect of the deformation in
various direction, position and degrees. Actually, there are two distinctive directions of the fragment
movement, the north and south
that are shown at the base of the
figure (< >) within a colored
line. And also, the deformation
positions in terms of louvers’
fragments and joints are
presented in the format of the
façade. This situation is more
clearly understood by comparing
with levels –fragments and
joints– and connection type and
the levels of the louver to the
main building.
Fig. 7: Drafted Analysis of the Louver Deformation

Figure 8 contains measurement of the degree of deformation of the louvers. In this manner, there is
only a degree that is stated in the
direction of north to south. The
data is only current for “h1”
fragment of the louver. It is
presented only a ratio of h1
deformation that is a result of a
simple measuring. And it is
expectation that a total
deformation of h1 could be
figured according to the full
height of the h1 that is 3.65 m.
That varies from 4,5 to 7,3cm.

Fig. 8: Deformation Amounts in the partial level of the louvers

T 72, A Structural Condition Assessment; Environmental Agents versus Structural Failures, Kemal Çayırlı
 11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components
ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

2.5.2 Glass Curtain Wall Deflection

In the model, the glass curtain wall system is defined by visual observation and measuring. It is stated
that a uniform of the metal mullion
with 4,5 / 10 cm rectangular
section is applied along the every
segment of the system without any
differentiations in horizontal and
vertical lines. On the other hand, it
is noticed that horizontal segments
of the lines have a continuum
characteristic while vertical
segments is fragmented according
to the horizontal lines.
Fig. 9: Curtain Wall

The graphics explain the deflection’s direction in the

glass curtain wall and amount of the deformation in
the system. Because of the movement at the middle
hinge connection and the basics of measuring, the
direction is observed towards to inside of the front
foyer.

The measuring data reflects a ratio of the

deformation in various points. The ratio should be
evaluated and confirmed through whole façade.

Fig. 10: Deflection Amounts in the Curtain Wall

2.6. Possible Environmental Agents to Symptoms of Structural Failure

In general understanding of performance requirement model, “safety” is defined as a social and

psychological requirement of the building performance, and it has two fundamental environmental
agents in its domain; static and dynamic loads. While static loads are classified by dead, live and
impact load, dynamic loads are specified with earthquake and wind loads, thermal and moisture
movements in the ‘Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions’ by Claudio Modena, P. B. [2004].
In this part of the study, a new perception towards structural loads is presented that is based on upper
classified titles, named ‘static’ and ‘dynamic’. This situation offer a transition point to relate the
structural loads as environmental agents with the symptoms of structural failure in the front foyer of
the AKM. Finally, this suggests a temporal reading of environmental agents that are specified in the
example of the case study.

2.6.1. Static

- Eccentric Load

It is a type of a load imposed on a structural member at some point other than the center line of the
section. In the case of an ideal column under an axial load, the column remains straight until the
critical load is reached. However, the load is not always applied at the center line of the cross section,
as is assumed in Euler buckling theory. In fact, misalignment of the structural member in the structural
system could initiate and even multiple defects of the structural failure that are issued in the ‘Design
and Construction Failures’ by Kaminetzky, D [c1991]. And also, dead load of the structural member
becomes a reason of the eccentric load in itself. Within consideration of the symptom at the west
façade of AKM, the eccentric load could be issued for the vertical louver. If certain construction

T 72, A Structural Condition Assessment; Environmental Agents versus Structural Failures, Kemal Çayırlı
 11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components
ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

defects were in discussion like misalignment of linear elements, the eccentric load would be main
causes of the defect; vertical louver deflections.

2.6.2. Dynamic

- Wind

Wind is the result of a number of factors such as atmospheric pressure differences, differential
radiation of the sun, and the rotation, curvature & surface characteristics of the earth. Overall
understanding and analyzing the wind are stated in the ‘Wind Effects on Buildings’, Lawson, T. V.
[1980]. In the nature of wind characteristics, the behavior of the wind consists of two components: a
steady flow; and a turbulent fluctuating system. The first has a mean of wind speed; the second, a
fluctuating velocity due to turbulence or gusting. The dynamic component causes vibration & flutter
of structures. In other words, wind load is a reason of turbulence at the side of the vertical object when
it passes through by its vortex behavior. This consequence is a reason of vibration in the object.
Vibrations are located at the perpendicular sides of the wind direction. When a flat surface reflects and
redirects the wind, understanding the effects of the wind load on the vertical louver becomes more
complicated analysis. In fact that a first effect of wind is to behave as a lateral load to turn over or
relocate any structure in itself. But, if this is not possible by an existing sufficient structure,
deformation effect is on scene in certain degrees. Especially, a flat surface becomes a dynamic object
to see canvas behavior like a sail.

3. CONCLUSION

By comparing the symptoms as defects and agents as causes, three specific titles are listed as end
result definitions of the specific structural condition assessment. Vibration of Louvers and Canvas
Behavior of Façade are described with related defects and causes.

Vibration of Louvers

Wind is a natural event that occurs in any geographical location with variation in loads and intensities.
As well, certain shapes common to nature naturally affect and shape, direct, deflect and perhaps
increase the speed and effect of the wind on man-made structures. Besides the physical characteristics
of a city, the layout of upper structure features within city could be important determinants of those
effects. For example, a street could provide a channel to direct the wind in an intentional way or vice
versa. In the same way, a building could be located in terms of getting positive wind effects or
eliminating the negative circumstances of wind.

The AKM is located in one of the dominant hills in Istanbul. Although the dominant wind has not
been monitored, it has been noticed that the center west façade could at times be under threat of
prevailing winds, either from the direction of Gumussuyu and Macka Park to Tarlabası Avenue.
Moreover, the openness characteristic of Taksim square could further raise the wind effects in an
undetermined way.

A gradual graphic representation in Figure 11 is shown here to explore the expected outcome of wind
effects on louvers. In the gradual sequences, the end point is seen as permanent deformation of a
vertical object. However, the end point could also be a dynamic elastic deformation.

Fig. 11: Wind and its Circumstances

T 72, A Structural Condition Assessment; Environmental Agents versus Structural Failures, Kemal Çayırlı
 11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components
ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

At the AKM, permanent deformation of the louvers and locations are presented according to a limited
time based site survey. In the example of the louvers at the west façade of the AKM, extensive
monitoring methodology that covers a long time based data should be applied to finalize determining
the likelihood of deformations and their expected characteristics.

An eccentric load could be a main defect for a linear building element, if there is a failure to keep up
the louvers’ straightness during the construction phase. To investigate a misalignment of a louver is
not possible in current database.

Canvas Behavior of Curtain Wall

Another negative effect of the wind could be

mentioned on the curtain wall that could be
called as a canvas behavior of the flat surface. In
Figure 12, it is shown that this effect basically
result from wind pressure in the direction of the
wind. Uniformity and strength of the flat
surface, while eliminating local failures, could
become an initiative of the defect. Fig. 12: Canvas Behavior of Curtain Wall

The west façade of the AKM is divided into three partial curtain walls having various dimensions. In
this assessment, only the ground level curtain wall is considered in respect to deformation and this is
estimated, based on interpolation, to range between 5 and 13cm. The interpolation method in various
horizontal locations at the middle level of the curtain level, + 0,87 where it is already a deformed
hinge connection line level. It could be possible to compare the amount of the deflection of the curtain
wall with in relation to reference deflection data to state the amount that is in a critical level to
determine whether total or partial collapse is in agenda.

As it is mentioned that the case study is to be a medium not only to offer further remediation outline
but also to give a scientific perception to the public debate whether the AKM, in Istanbul, is well
constructed and performed sufficiently without any fundamental renovation or it is necessary to design
a new civic building. The outcomes given in the case study are accepted as an analytical data in the
conclusion part to finalize the study. For this reason, there is a suggestive classification to outline as a
next step after reviewing the failures. In the ISO 15686-1 [2002] standard relating to service life
planning of buildings and constructed assets (i.e. Part 1) provides a method in which failure modes are
classified into six levels according to safety and economic factors as shown in Table 1. In the table,
three specific titles are perceptually ranked in terms of the classification strategy.

Table 1: Failure Modes versus Specific Titles

Vibration Canvas Behavior
Failure Modes of Louvers of Curtain Wall
Danger to life :
Danger to health :
Costly repair : X X
Frequent repair repeat : X
Interruption of building use : X
No exceptional problems :

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The case study described in this paper that focused on the Atatürk Culture Center (AKM) in Istanbul,
Turkey, formed part of a course taken in the fall session of 2007, entitled “Performance of Building
Elements under Environmental Effects”, conducted by Assoc. Prof. Hülya KUŞ in the Building
Science Ph. D. program in the Faculty of Architecture, at ITU.

T 72, A Structural Condition Assessment; Environmental Agents versus Structural Failures, Kemal Çayırlı
 11DBMC International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components
ISTANBUL – TURKEY May 11-14th, 2008

REFERENCES

Feilden, S. B., 2003, Conservation of Historic Buildings, 3rd Edition, Architectural Press, pp. 1–10.

Modena, C. , Lourenco, P. B., Roca, P. 2004, Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions,

Taylor & Francis, UK, 1466 p.

TMMOB, Branch of Istanbul, As a Part of Cultural Life: Theatre and the Buildings, pp. 52–70.

Ratay R.T. 2005, Structural Condition Assessment, J. Wiley & Sons, N.J., pp. 4–18.

Kaminetzky, D 1991, Design and Construction Failures , McGraw-Hill, New York, pp. 1–54.

Lawson, T. V. 1980, Wind Effects on Buildings, Applied Science Publisher, Bristol, UK,

ISO 15686-1, Buildings and Constructed Assets -Service Life Planning -Part 1:General Principles
First Edition, Article 6.8.1

T 72, A Structural Condition Assessment; Environmental Agents versus Structural Failures, Kemal Çayırlı