Loss Assessment Study of the Base Station Towers in Beşiktaş District of Istanbul Using HAZTURK Software

The damages to communication networks after earthquakes can lead to disruptions in emergency response and rescue operations in the Türkiye. The continuous operation of the communication network is crucial for the rapid response of first aid and rescue teams. In this study, fragility curves of monopole and lattice towers, which are located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, were used to estimate the communication losses based on an earthquake scenario for the region using the HAZTURK (MAEviz-Istanbul) software. The earthquake scenario applied to the base station towers in the region determined whether there was damage to the towers after the earthquake. The results of the study, identified the locations of the damaged base station towers, with the probabilities of exceeding the pre-determined limit states, where mobile or drone base stations can be positioned to sustain the functionality of the mobile communications following the earthquake.