Centuries of coal mining have left Zonguldak with extensive voids underground and a karstic, rocky ground structure. That raises the risk of settlement and collapse in some areas, while the rocky coastal strip can channel surface water towards building foundations.
Year round high humidity and frequent rainfall from the Black Sea climate keep straining the water balance between ground and structure. In Zonguldak we design projects that account for both the ground conditions left by its mining history and the heavy rainfall regime.
For buildings on hillside sites in Zonguldak, drainage behind retaining walls and surface water diversion channels are among the solutions we apply most often.
At coastal facilities we specify waterproofing membranes that stand up to salt water spray.
The three situations we meet most often in Zonguldak
Very heavy rainfall. The region is among the wettest parts of Turkey. Under these conditions the capacity of surface drainage lines is decisive. An undersized grating may cause no trouble for most of the year yet direct water at the building during heavy rain.
Steeply sloping ground. In buildings set into a slope, water arrives from one direction and quickly. An intercepting drainage line on the uphill side is far more effective than perimeter drainage. The velocity of surface flow must also be considered when selecting lines and gratings.
Cracks from ground movement. In buildings where the ground settles or moves, cracks open and close over time. Flexible systems with high crack bridging capacity should be preferred over rigid coatings in these conditions.
What we look at during the survey
Ground slope and the direction of surface flow, the possibility of an intercepting line uphill, the capacity of existing drainage lines and whether they are blocked, whether cracks are moving, and the capacity of the discharge point.