Designing A Large Span Structures Under Seismic Loading – A Case Study

==Abstract==
Structural membranes have become a frequently preferred system type in long 
span structures such as amphitheatres, stadiums, performance centres, sport halls, with their 
ability to cover long distances by lighter solutions. The membrane material, which is the main 
component of the lightweight structures including membranes and has sufficient strength 
together with stretching, has very low weight of around 1 kg per sqm compared with the 
conventional load bearing materials. This is very important feature, both aesthetically and 
economically. Its light weight does not only provide an economical solution, but also allows to 
have better structural performance under seismic loads. Besides its lightness, another advantage 
of membrane-covered structures such as the amphitheatre is acoustic performance, which is an 
important one for the structure to meet serviceability requirements.

In this paper, the amphitheatre in Hasan Kalyoncu University in Gaziantep - Turkiye was 
chosen as a case study to show the design process of the membrane roof covering system 
supported by steel trusses under severe earthquake threats. This amphitheatre had some 
challenging features with its 94 m wide span arch and 5000 sqm covered area. It suffered three 
major earthquakes measuring: the first one 7.7 Mw (Richter Scale), 11 minute later second one
6.6 Mw and the third one after 9 hours (Mw) on the 6th of February 2023. The amphitheatre is 
only 50 km south of one of the epicentres of the largest earthquake. There were nearly 6.000 
aftershocks within 10 days of the first earthquake. It is a relieve to see that the structure has not  been affected. It was a relieve to see that there was no damage on the amphitheatre. However, 
the distraction effected 11 major cities, nearly 2 million people had to be relocated and more 
sadly around 45.000 people died. The devastation was catastrophic

== Full Paper ==
<pdf>Media:Draft_Sanchez Pinedo_982598041detailing14.pdf</pdf>