Determining the most suitable building type for earthquake resistance: A case of Düzce province

Earthquakes are among the most destructive and devastating natural disasters. Utilizing earthquake-resistant structures is essential to mitigate the devastation caused by such disasters. However, the necessary awareness on this matter has not yet been fully established within our country. In this study, the most suitable building type was determined through Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods, selecting from various alternatives in Düzce to minimize the impact during a potential earthquake. Given the high seismic risk in Düzce, the safety and resilience of structures are of critical importance. Consequently, the study focused on identifying the most appropriate earthquake-resistant building type for the regional construction sector. The frequent exposure of Düzce to earthquakes was one of the reasons for selecting it as the study area. In the study, the weights of the criteria were determined using the AHP method, while the priority rankings of the alternatives were obtained through the COPRAS and MAIRCA methods. Additionally, Spearman Rank Correlation Analysis was performed to assess the consistency and reliability of the calculations. The results of the study indicate that the prefabricated building type is the most suitable earthquake-resistant option. Future similar studies can be conducted using the latest MCDM methods, adopting a multidisciplinary approach to the field of civil engineering.