Case Study: TAV Airports Holding achieves rapid seismic retrofit and on-time airport opening with Thornton Tomasetti

TAV Airports Holding opens Ataturk Airport on time with Thornton Tomasetti’s 4-month seismic retrofit

TAV Airports Holding faced a significant challenge when the passenger terminal for Ataturk International Airport, which was under construction, was damaged by a major earthquake. The consortium needed to not only repair the damage but also seismically upgrade the structure to prevent future disruption, all while keeping the project on its original schedule. They retained Thornton Tomasetti to provide structural engineering and seismic retrofit services.

Thornton Tomasetti implemented an innovative seismic upgrade solution in just four months. This involved installing friction pendulum bearings to isolate the steel-frame roof and strengthening concrete columns with steel jacketing. This solution allowed the terminal to open on time and provided a seismic resistance 50 percent stronger than the 1999 earthquake, ensuring the building would remain functional after a major seismic event.

TAV Airports Holding