NEWS

Marmaray Demonstrates Intergeo Eurasia's Topics in Practice

The Tunnel in , , opened on 29 October, six months before the start of two key industry trade shows: Seismic Safety and Intergeo Eurasia. Described locally as the "project of the century", the tunnel connects the European and the Asian parts of the city. The spectacular tunnel is a perfect example of the city's commitment to an earthquake-resistant future and of the relevance of both trade events' topics to this and other projects.

Seismic Safety and Intergeo Eurasia showcase solutions that pertain to buildings and urban structures and deal with topics including earthquake resistance, fire protection and urban renewal combined with the necessary measuring and testing systems and geo-data concepts.

The 13.6-kilometre-long tunnel, which was officially opened in time for the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic, should considerably relieve traffic congestion in the metropolis of 15 million people. Plans call for expansion of the Marmaray line to 77 kilometres. During the next three years, the line will also be integrated into Istanbul's metro network.

The central element of the new tunnel is a 1.4-kilometre-long double tube that connects the European and Asian continents with one another. Made of special-purpose concrete, the tunnel is nestled on the ocean floor at a depth of nearly 60 metres. The tunnel's builders ensure that it can even withstand an earthquake with a magnitude of 9. As a result, the tunnel is protected again earthquakes better than most of Istanbul's high-rise buildings. A look at the city's geodetic data shows how important earthquake-resistant construction is. The tunnel is just 20 kilometres away from a tectonic fault zone.

Like all of Turkey, Istanbul is at high risk of earthquakes. According to estimates, 70% of the Turkish population lives in first and second-degree seismic regions, and most buildings in Turkey's cities would not be able to withstand a strong earthquake. Some 6.5 million apartments, or one third of all existing structures, are at risk. Some 1.6 million apartments are affected in Istanbul alone.

Products and solutions

That is exactly where Seismic Safety and Intergeo Eurasia come in. Both trade fairs have exactly the portfolio of products and solutions that the Turkish government needs to realise its ambitious objectives. Its broad-scope renovation and modernisation programme calls for renewal of endangered buildings and even entire sections of the city. Over the next 20 years, USD400 billion will be invested to do so, USD100 billion of that in Istanbul alone.

Seismic Safety and INTERGEO Eurasia take place at the WOW Convention Centre in Istanbul, which is directly accessible from the Atatürk International Airport, on 28-29 April 2014. Both events are being organised by MMI Eurasia in conjunction with Messe München International, HINTE Messe, and the DVW (German Association of Surveying).

Additional information can be found at www.intergeo-eurasia.net and www.seismic-safety.net.

https://www.gim-international.com/content/news/marmaray-tunnel-demonstrates-intergeo-eurasia-s-topics-in-practice