Building Strengthening Methods: How to Renew Old Structures?

In an earthquake prone country like Turkey, the safety of older buildings concerns not only individuals but also the future of entire cities. In Antalya’s rapidly developing districts such as Aksu and Altıntaş, structural strengthening has become a critical necessity to ensure the resilience of existing buildings.

Why Is Strengthening Old Buildings Essential?

Turkey lies on active fault lines, making it a country at constant risk of earthquakes. Antalya is no exception. Especially in rapidly developing districts like Aksu and Altıntaş, ensuring the safe construction of new buildings and enhancing the durability of existing stock is of vital importance.

Many structures were built before 1999 under outdated regulations and do not meet the standards of the current Turkish Earthquake Building Code (TBDY–2018). At this point, an important question arises:

“Do old buildings always need to be demolished?”

The answer is not necessarily demolition. Structures without severe damage to their load bearing systems can continue to be safely used for many years when supported with accurate engineering calculations and suitable strengthening methods.

At Yükselen Mimari İnşaat, we deliver system focused strengthening solutions in Antalya, ensuring both building resilience and user safety.

What Is Building Strengthening?

Building strengthening refers to a set of engineering methods designed to increase the load bearing capacity of an existing structure and make it more resilient against natural disasters, especially earthquakes.

It should not be confused with repair; strengthening means adding new resistance rather than merely restoring the old.

• It is more economical than demolition and rebuilding—typically costing around 30–40% of new construction.
• In many cases, full evacuation of the building is not required during implementation.

How Are Old Buildings Strengthened?

1. Soil Improvement

In areas such as Altıntaş and Aksu, groundwater levels and soil structures are highly sensitive. Techniques like injection, drainage, and jet grouting are applied to increase soil bearing capacity and provide a stronger foundation.

2. Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls

Adding strategically placed shear walls enhances the building’s lateral load bearing capacity and helps distribute earthquake forces evenly.

3. Jacketing of Columns and Beams

Wrapping existing columns and beams with reinforced concrete or steel increases their cross sectional strength. This method is particularly effective in older reinforced concrete structures.

4. Steel Strengthening

Steel jacketing involves applying a steel shell around columns.
In composite systems, additional reinforcement and steel plates are integrated into existing elements to increase flexural capacity.

5. Carbon Fiber (CFRP/FRP) Applications

Carbon fiber fabrics or strips are lightweight and extremely strong, making them ideal for strengthening historical and aesthetic structures without altering their character.

6. Steel Braces and Energy Dissipaters

In high rise buildings, steel braces and seismic dampers increase stiffness and distribute earthquake energy safely. Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs) are frequently applied in this context.

7. Seismic Isolation Systems

Although more common in new constructions, seismic isolation can also be adapted to existing buildings when conditions allow. Base isolators placed between the foundation and superstructure minimize the transfer of earthquake energy into the building.

Strengthening Projects in Altıntaş and Aksu

As Antalya’s rapidly developing districts, Altıntaş and Aksu feature both new buildings and aging stock. When implementing strengthening projects in these areas:

• Soil type and groundwater conditions must be carefully analyzed.
• Symmetrical shear wall placement should be considered for seismic load distribution.
• All materials used must comply with international standards.

As the best construction company, Yükselen Mimari İnşaat evaluates every building with precision. Instead of one-size-fits-all solutions, we create system-oriented strengthening strategies tailored to the unique needs of each structure.

What Determines the Cost of Building Strengthening?

Strengthening costs vary from building to building and depend on factors such as:

• Number of floors and intended use,
• Current concrete quality and reinforcement status,
• Chosen strengthening method (steel, CFRP, shear walls, etc.),
• Whether soil improvement is required,
• Quality of materials and labor.

Industry consensus suggests strengthening is preferable when costs remain below 30 40% of total reconstruction expenses.

Advantages of Strengthening

• Completed in shorter timeframes.
• Often possible without evacuating residents.
• Environmentally more sustainable.
• Preserves historical and cultural heritage.
• No loss of usable space.

Old Buildings Can Be Revitalized

Demolition is not always the solution. With the right engineering approach and expert implementation, strengthened structures can achieve the safety levels of new buildings.

At Yükselen Mimari İnşaat, our mission is to treat every structure as a complete system, creating safe and durable living spaces. In Antalya, we are building stronger structures for a safer future. Get in contact us with us today to discuss your project and discover the right strengthening solutions for your building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a permit required for strengthening?
Yes. Official permits from the municipality are mandatory before starting any strengthening work.

Can residents stay in their homes during strengthening?

It depends on the method used. For carbon fiber and steel jacketing, evacuation is usually unnecessary. For shear wall applications, temporary relocation may be required.

Which methods are used in historical buildings?

Lightweight, non damaging solutions like carbon fiber (CFRP) and FRCM are preferred to protect historical features.

How to choose the right company in Antalya?

Key factors include reference projects, the expertise of the engineering team, and a solution focused approach.
Yükselen Mimari İnşaat, with its successful projects in Altıntaş and Aksu, stands out as a trusted leader in this field.