ISTANBUL – The opening of an innovative airport this week marks a new era in seismic safety design, expedited planning, design and building construction. On October 31, 2009 the new international airport will open in Istanbul, Turkey. The Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SGIA) terminal features the largest seismically-isolated building in the world, designed and constructed at record speed.

“The new Istanbul airport terminal is a model for the future”, said Atila Zekioglu, Principal of Arup, and seismic expert for Arup’s airport design team.

“Using our international network of experts, Arup shattered industry standards to redefine what is possible,” Zekioglu said. “As a result, the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport terminal project will be recognized globally for its superior earthquake safety features and completion in record time.”

In just 18-months, Arup’s global airport planning and engineering team, in collaboration with Dogan Tekeli Sami Sisa Mimarlik Ofisi (Architect) and LIMAK-GMR JV (Contractor), helped transform vacant land into the most technologically superior structure of its size in the world, featuring seismic safety measures that surpass US building standards. LIMAK-GMR JV’s construction crews completed the airport terminal in a fraction of the time similar projects typically require.

The 200,000 square meters (2.15 million square-feet) building uses 300 seismic-isolators at the ground level to help absorb and dissipate energy from seismic waves. These isolators will enable the building to move in a controlled manner should an earthquake occur. Using extensive testing and earthquake simulations, engineers determined isolators will help the building withstand a 7.5 to 8.0 earthquake.

“The airport terminal is designed to save lives and property,” Zekioglu said. “After undergoing extensive testing and 14 quake simulations, we are confident the design will safeguard a major financial investment and preserve an international transportation system so that it may continue functioning if an earthquake strikes.”

Earthquake Safety

Ensuring earthquake safety and maintaining the continuity of this nationally-important strategic facility was a top priority for LIMAK-GMR-MAHB Consortium (Investor/Developer/Operator) and Arup designers. According to the US Geological Survey, the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake in Turkey killed 17,000 people, injured 50,000, and destroyed 27,000 buildings, leaving 500,000 homeless. Estimates of property losses range from $3 billion to $6.5 billion. Arup used the most sophisticated engineering available to protect lives and property should another quake occur.

Arup’s airport planners, designers and engineers developed solutions for specialist airport systems, including baggage handling, passenger boarding bridges, vertical circulation and facades, which will enable the prompt return to operation of the airport following an earthquake.

Expedited Construction

SGIA required an expedited planning, design and building construction process. Using expert management, seamless coordination and the power of integrated teamwork, Arup helped plan, design and deliver the terminal in just 18-months, a record pace.

For more information visit www.arup.com.