• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.257-274
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• 2013

In this study, seismic performance of one story hinged precast buildings, which represents the majority of existing lightweight industrial building stock of Turkey, was assessed. A lot of precast buildings, constructed in one of the important seismic zones of western Turkey, were investigated and building inventories were prepared. By this method, structural properties of inventory buildings and damaged precast buildings in recent earthquakes were compared. Damage estimations based on nonlinear analysis methods have shown that estimated damage levels of inventory buildings and observed damage levels in recent earthquakes are similar. Accuracy of damage estimation study and the simplicity of the one story precast building models implied that rapid seismic performance assessment method for these buildings can be developed. In this assessment method, capacity curves and vibration periods of precast buildings were calculated by using structural properties of precast buildings. The proposed assessment method was applied to inventory buildings by using two different seismic demand scenarios which reflect moderate and soft soil conditions. Comparison of detailed analysis and rapid assessment methods have indicated that reliable seismic performance estimations can be performed by using proposed method. It is also observed that distribution of damage estimations is compatible in both scenarios.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.615-626
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• 2018

The seismic vulnerability of Turkey is relatively high due to its active fault systems with potential to create destructive earthquakes. Thus, reducing the loss of life and property, the number of the earthquake-prone buildings and their retrofit requirements are considerably significant key issues under the scenario earthquakes. The street survey based rapid assessment (SSRA) method can be considered as a powerful tool to determine the seismic vulnerability of building stock of an earthquake-prone city/state. In this study, the seismic vulnerability of the building stock of the Kirikkale province in Turkey is aimed to be estimated adopting the street survey based rapid assessment method (SSRA). For this purpose, central 2074 existing reinforced concrete (R/C) buildings were structurally surveyed with rapid visual site screening and disadvantages such as, the existence of short-column, soft-story, heavy overhangs, pounding effect and local soil conditions were determined for obtaining the structural performance score of each. The results obtained from the study demonstrate that 11-25% of the surveyed buildings in the study region needs to be investigated through more advanced assessment methods. Besides, higher correlation between increasing story number and unsafe/safe building ratio is obtained for the buildings with soft-story parameter than that for those with heavy overhangs and short-column parameters. The conformity of the results of the current study with the previous documented cases of rapid assessment efforts in the recent earthquakes in Turkey shows that the SSRA method for the Kirikkale province performed well, and thus this methodology can be reliably used for similar settlement areas.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.6
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• pp.793-808
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• 2023

Türkiye is located in a region where destructive earthquakes are frequently experienced due to its geological characteristics and geographical location. Therefore, considering the possibility of a devastating earthquake at any time, determining the reinforced concrete (RC) building seismic safety, constructed before or after the current seismic buildings code, is one of the most important issues to be completed firstly. For this purpose, rapid assessment methods developed to quickly determine the seismic safety of buildings are available in the literature. Comparison of the principles of Principles of the Determination of Risky Structures-2019, Column and Wall Index Method, P25 Scoring Method and Improved Discriminant Analysis Method, which are among these methods, have been aimed within the scope of this study. Within the scope of this paper, a total of 43 buildings in the Yalova/Çınarcık region of Türkiye that the damage level was determined by street observation method immediately after the 1999 Kocaeli (Izmit) Earthquake; 15 buildings with heavy damage and 28 buildings with moderate damage were examined by rapid assessment methods. Although the risk detection difference was not separated as a clear line in any of the methods used, the results obtained from the rapid assessment methods are evaluated as being compatible with the detected after earthquake structural seismic behavior of the buildings. The PDRS-2019 and column and wall index method gave the most approximate results. In the results obtained from the analyzes; structural features such as number of floors, frame continuity, soft/weak story irregularity, effective shear strength area, existence of heavy overhangs in plan, type of structural system have been found to be significantly effective on the earthquake behavior of buildings.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2002

The rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) might be a new tool for performance of an environmental impact assessment (EIA), comparing with many traditional methods of EIA, which have produced large reports setting out the subjective judgement reached by the assessors. The main criticisms of E1A are in part a natural result of the traditional method used. RIAM uses a structured matrix to allow for such judgement, both subjective and those based on quantitative data, to be made on a like-by-like basis, and provided a transparent and permanent record of the judgement made. Also, the computerized RIAM system using software program allows for the matrix to be shown in graphical form, which greatly enhances the clarity of the results produced by this method. RIAM provides a system by which development options and scenarios can be rapidly evaluated. To illustrate the use of RIAM, an example from an EIA study using application of scoping by assessment criteria in Environmental Impact Regulation of Korea was given. The criteria that might be used to evaluation EIA methods, and how RIAM measures up against these criteria, are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.38-48
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• 2001

A wetland is an ecosystem which is the most useful and highly-energetic transition area. This study has been carried out to develop the wetland function assessment methods and apply on the natural wetlands (Mul-young-ari wetland in Jeju-island and Bangdong wetland in Taejon Metropolitan city) using RAM (Rapid Assessment Method). The RAM is useful method for assessing the wetland functions in terms of general functions acquired by once or twice onsite surveying. Eight functions of 2-12 variables each are analyzed for assessing the wetland functions. The results are as follows : 1) The conservation values of two wetlands are "High". 2) In Mul-young-ari wetland, such functions as groundwater discharge, floral diversity and wildlife habitat, shoreline/stream bank protection are relatively high, but some functions such as flood/storm water storage, aesthetics and recreation are "Moderate" - "High". 3) In Bangdong wetland, such functions as floral diversity and wildlife habitat, groundwater discharge, flood/storm water storage, aesthetics and recreation are high, and another functions are "Moderate" - "High". The taxonomy of this study stems from assessing functions of inland wetlands using indices of RAM. So It is needed that consequent studies are to be performed with verifying the variables and indices.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.873-885
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• 2016

Determination of earthquake-safety of existing buildings requires a rather long and challenging process both in terms of time and expertise. In order to prevent such a tedious process, rather rapid methods for evaluating buildings were developed. The purpose of these rapid methods is to determine the buildings that have priority in terms of risk and accordingly to minimize the number of buildings to be inspected. In these rapid evaluation methods detailed information and inspection are not required. Among these methods the Canadian Seismic scanning method and the first stage evaluation method included in the principles concerning the determination of risk-bearing buildings promulgated by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization in Turkey are used in the present study. Within the scope of this study, six reinforced concrete buildings damaged in Van earthquakes in Turkey are selected. The performance scores of these buildings are calculated separately with the mentioned two methods, and then compared. The purpose of the study is to provide information on these two methods and to set forth the relation they have between them in order to manifest the international validity.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2023

Background: The understanding of ecosystem services can be quantified and qualitative to assess the impacts of changes in the ecosystem to support human well-being. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sustainable use of ecosystem services has attracted the interest of a range of decision-makers. However, although there is a concern for biodiversity, natural ecosystem, and their services, linking ecosystems with conservation planning remains challenging. Results: This study assessed the first qualitative ecosystem services provided by the Mundok wetland with decision makers of the West/Yellow Sea region. Furthermore, this study applied the Rapid Assessment Wetland Ecosystem method to support natural resources management, improving living conditions. We identified that cultural and supporting services index are highly provided, but preparing a plan to increase the provisioning and regulating services in Mundok wetland is necessary. Conclusions: The assessment results can provide helpful information for ecosystem services assessment, habitat conservation, conservation planning, and decision-making at local level.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.134-142
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• 2018

The uranium isotopic ratio in environmental samples around nuclear facilities is important because it reveals information regarding illegal activities or anthropogenic pollution. Determination of uranium isotopes, however, is a challenging task requiring much labor and time because of the complex separation procedures and lengthy process. In this study, a rapid determination method for uranium isotopes in environmental samples was developed using. The sample was completely decomposed using the alkali fusion method. The separation procedure using extraction chromatography (UTEVA) was simplified in a single step without any further removal process for Si and major matrix elements. The established method can be completed within 3 h from sample dissolution to ICP-MS measurement. Most matrix elements and uranium isotopes in the soil samples were well separated and purified. Five types of were used to assess the method's accuracy and precision for a rapid uranium analysis method. The analytical accuracy for all CRM samples ranged from 95.1 % to 97.8 %, and the relative standard deviation was below 3.9 %. From the analytical results, one may draw conclusions that the evaluated method for uranium isotopes using alkali-fusion, the extraction chromatography process, and ICP-MS measurements is fast and fairly reliable owing to its recovering efficiencies. Thus, it is expected that the evaluated method can contribute to the improvement of environmental monitoring ability.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.813-821
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• 2012

Environmental and public health concern for the emission of air pollutants from burn-up process in waste incineration plants located in the vicinity of living environment was increased during the past decade. The purpose of this study was to suggest of the simple and rapid method of priority setting model for the decision of full-scale public health assessment. This method was consists of total 5-step. Step 1 was "secure the satellite map" and we can use the satellite map which serves from the website such as NAVER Co. Step 2 was "drawing mesh on the map" for catch the point of occupation of environmental sensitivity facilities, and step 3 was "identification and sorting of the facilities", Step 4 was "setting of weight" using the "weighted linear combination (WLC) method". Finally, all facility was sorted by score. As a result, we can set a priority of 145 facilities based on 177 facilities which managed in local government. Facilities in Seoul metropolitan area was high rank in priority list. On the other side, Facilities located at the country or rural area was low rank because of low occupation of the house and the environmental sensitivity facilities such as kindergarten, elementary school, and hospital. In this study, we suggested simple and rapid method that using for screening procedure of public health assessment.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.314-324
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• 2017

In order to consider application and evaluation of value and class of domestic wetland, we investigated 146 wetlands located Gyeongsangnam-do using Rapid Assessment Method (RAM). We utilized Self-Organizing-Map (SOM) to analysis relationship between evaluation index and land coverage ratio surrounding wetland. Among total 8 evaluation index, 'Fish and herptile habitat' and 'Aesthetic value' were higher, most of the wetlands evaluated as 2, 3 grade. Result of SOM analysis, 'vegetation diversity and wild animals habitat' is negatively related to the 'Fish and herptile habitat', because fishs were not prefer habitat excessively occupied by plant. However, high vegetation diversity can be support high score of 'Aesthetic' in wetland. Also, 'Erosion control' and 'Flood storage and control' were closely related, wetlands with high score of 'Erosion control' have high score of 'Flood storage and control'. When applied RAM in domestic wetland, six out of 6 evaluation index induced biased results, the index of RAM need a little change as some new or modify evaluation index. Therefore, we consider to need adjustable, subdivide, and actualization of some evaluation index for application of RAM in domestic wetlands. Consequently, wetland assessment and class using RAM can be utilized as important indicate for conservation and management of wetland, and contributed greatly to maintain biodiversity include to endangered species by preserving remaining wetland.