Proceedings of 3
rd
International Civil Engineering and Architecture Congress (ICEARC’23)
DOI 10.31462/icearc.2023.bsc333
* Corresponding author (mimar.yasemin.bal@gmail.com)
© 2023 Authors. Publishing services by golden light publishing®.
This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Use of pneumatic (inflatable) structures with various functions post-
earthquake disaster: The case of Türkiye Kahramanmaraş
earthquakes
Yasemin Bal
1*
, Filiz Şenkal Sezer
2
1
Bursa Uludağ University, Institute of Science, Department of Architecture, Bursa, Türkiye
2
Bursa Uludağ University, Institute of Science, Department of Architecture, Bursa, Türkiye
Abstract
Purpose: Suggesting innovative structures instead of traditional systems for various functions such as shelter, assembly
area, according to needs eating, storage, infrastructure and superstructure after an earthquake can offer more comfortable
solutions for the victims. Within the scope of the study, it is aimed to evaluate the use of single or double walled
pneumatic (inflatable) temporary structures, which are carriers as a result of pressurization of the membrane surfaces
usually with air, for earthquake disasters.
Study design/methodology/approach: Examples of individual shelter projects (Cocoon, Cloud, Parasite) developed in
pneumatic systems for post-earthquake disasters, suggestions for the urban scale, 6 Şubat 2023 Kahramanmaraş
earthquakes used in samples health structures applied with on-site installation by transporting from foreign countries
and water tank being installed used within 48 hours ready-made with a storage capacity of 14,000 liters examined.
Pneumatic structural characteristics of sample structures and solutions they provide tabulated.
Findings: Based on the examples examined, the possible positive features of the use of pneumatic structures for
earthquake disasters evaluated in the findings section. Pneumatic structures have features that can provide advantages
in earthquakes such as being able to be stored in small volumes, being easy to transport many structures at once, being
ready for use quickly, being produced with modular and flexible designs.
Originality/value: Introducing and explaining the pneumatic structures that can offer various solutions for the needs of
the disaster victims is the original side of the study.
Keywords: Pneumatic (inflatable) structures, post-earthquake, shelter, temporary construction, Kahramanmaraş
earthquakes.
1. Introduction
Disaster by the United Nations; It is defined as the consequences of natural, technological or anthropogenic
events that cause physical, economic and social losses for people, affect communities by stopping or
interrupting normal life and human activities, and which the affected community cannot overcome by using
its own means and resources. Disasters that can cause physical, economic, social and environmental losses;
It harms people by stopping or interrupting their normal life and daily activities (Ergünay, 2005). For this
reason, planning a life or construction for disasters and offering temporary solution suggestions and strategies
in case of disaster is a reality of the world we live in. For Türkiye, one of the most dangerous disasters is
earthquakes. Risk Management Index; According to INFORM (2021), with an index score of 9.7,