The General Assembly of the Turkısh Constructional Steelwork Association was held on June 21, 2012 at Ramada İstanbul Asia Hotel. Within the context of the changes to the Constitution of Association, the article 6 of was changed by the members of General Assembly unanimously. The number of the members of the Board of Directors was rised from 9 to 11. The creation of Sector Consultancy Committee and Academic 
Committee was approved by the members. The item "To provide professional and technical education and trainings for architects, engineers, foremen, workmen and other technical personnel, instructors and teachers who are in relation with structural steel and steel constructions according to the national and international standards and regulations, and to provide other education and trainings that will help the improvement of their professional abilities, to examine and certify relevant technical personnel, and to establish examination centres for above mentioned examination and personnel certification" was included into the activities of the Association, stated in the constitution. The meeting continued with the election of Board of Directors for 2 years between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2014. As a result, the following TUCSA members were elected: Nesrin YARDIMCI (President), Fadıl DEMİREL, Mustafa DORALP, Daniş EKİM, H. Yener GÜR'Eş, Selçuk İZ, Mehmet KANAT, Ö. Selçuk ÖZDİL, Melih şİMşEK, Veysel YAYAN and Cavidan YORGUN.
DOCTOR of HUMANE LETTERS to the MANAGEMENT of KARDEMİR
Mr. Mutullah YOLBULAN, Chairman of KARDEMİR, Mr. Kamil GÜLEÇ, Vice Chairman the Board of Directors and Mr. Fadıl DEMİREL, CEO, were honoured by The Senate of the Karabük University with the title "Doctor of Humane Letters" due to their contribution to the improvement and development of the University of Karabük and the city of Karabük, as well as their support to the improvement of university - industry corporation. The Management of KARDEMİR, who were given the title "Doctor of Humane Letters", took their awards on May 29, 2012 at the meeting held at the Prof. Dr. Bektaş AÇIKGÖZ Conference Hall in the University of Karabük.
THE INTERNATIONAL COURSE OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGICAL FEATURES OF WIND TOWERS
Within the context of the 2012 Education Programme of Structural Steelwork Education, Training and Research Centre established by the Turkish Constructional Steelwork Association, the course of Design and Technological Features of Wind Towers was held on 1-3 June at the Istanbul branch of Chamber of Architects. The course was given by Prof. Dr. Milan VELJKOVIC from the University of Luleå, who is known worldwide with his research and development studies on wind towers, Ass. Prof. Dr. Carlos REBELO from the University of Coimbra and Prof. Dr. Burak BARUTÇU from the Istanbul Technical University Institute of Energy. Main topics of the course were general introduction of the renewable energy field from constructional engineering point of view, 
general knowledge on design standards/codes, structural design and concept of wind towers, loads, foundation, tower components, numerical sample solutions according to EN1993-1-1, EN1993-1-5, EN1993-1-6. "Attendance Certificate" were given to the participants at end of the course.
SEMINAR ON URBAN TRANSFORMATIONA OF YALOVA AND STEEL CONSTRUCTIONS
Upon the initiation of Yalova Maritime Industry Association (YAGESAD), the Steel Structures-Yalova seminar about "Steel Constructions and Steel Buildings for Urban Transformation" was organized by Turkish Constructional Steelwork Association in coordination with the University of Yalova and YAGESAD, and was held at YÜSEM Conference Hall on April 19, Thursday. At the seminar, the rector of Yalova University Prof. Dr. Niyazi ERUSLU, the president of YAGESAD Behram KAVLAK,
president of TUCSA Prof. Dr. Nesrin YARDIMCI and The General Manager of KARDEMİR Fadıl DEMİREL made their opening speeches, and then the following presentations were made; "Constructional Steels and Characteristics" by Prof. Dr. Kelami ŞEŞEN from İTÜ Metallurgy and Material Engineering department, "Cold-formed Steel Frame Houses for Urban Transformation" by Melih ŞİMŞEK, Chairman of Akkon & Akşan, "Applications of Steel Construction" by Selçuk İZ, Chairman of İz Construction.
PROSteel 2012 Awards given
The Colloquium and award ceremony of "PROSteel 2012? the Student Contest on Steel Construction Design, organised by Turkish Constructional Steelwork Association (TUCSA) and Borusan Mannesmann was held on April 27, 2012 at the Building Information Centre (Yapı-Endüstri Merkezi). As a result of the general evaluation of the jury, the awards were given to winners after the colloquium completed with the questions of the students.
Economy with PANELTON on Steel Construction Slabs and Facade
The pre-stressed cellular slab element Panelton is also used in mezzanine deck slabs of steel structures which are important alternatives in load bearing system solutions of industrial buildings. Although the use of steel in load bearing system is an important alternative, the higher price of steel makes it difficult to prefer when compared with other alternatives. On the other hand, the constructions with Panelton slab element on mezzanine deck slabs give much more economic results in comparison with alternative solutions, and increase the competitiveness of the steel using companies stronger, bring out advantages to the investor. As pre-stressed cellular slab element Panelton is used in mezzanine deck slabs of a construction of which columns and beams are made of steel, the mezzanine parts of the building are rapidly built.
Steel Constructions Seminar and Steel Construction Design Course at Karabük, the Heart of Steel
The "Steel Constructions of Karabük Seminar" organised by Turkish Constructional Steelwork Association (TUCSA) in collaboration with Iron and Steel Institute of the Karabük University was held on May 24, 2012 Thursday at the Prof. Dr. Bektaş Açıkgöz Conference Hall of the University. Seminar started with the opening speech of Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kadı, Deputy Rector of the University of Karabük. As mentioning the great happiness they feel about hosting such a seminar at their university, Prof. Kadı expressed the importance of this subject for them while establishing the Iron and Steel Institute within the university. Expressing the great support of KARDEMIR to the Karabük University, Prof. Kadı pointed out that the first and very important studies are being realised at their university, as a result of supportive approaches of KARDEMİR, and stated that KADEMIR's support to the cooperation between university and industry should be a good example for whole Turkey. Prof. Dr. Nesrin YARDIMCI, President of TUCSA, gave her speech after him, presented to the participants, the background of the establishment, their works and projects with a video.
During the final opening speech, Mr. Fadıl DEMİREL, CEO of KARDEMIR briefly mentioned about the founding period of KARDEMIR, and then talked about KARDEMIR's success stories at present time and the success of Turkey in steel sector. He stated that the Turkish steel sector took the 8th place in the World, and the 2nd place in Europe, and Turkey is the most developing country in this field. Mr. Fadıl DEMİREL continued his speech by expressing his thoughs as "If you are good at steel, you are good at any areas", and said that Karabük is the steel capital of Turkey and they are doing their best to keep it like this. Underlining the fact that they have been working in close cooperation with the Turkish Constructional Steelwork Association (TUCSA), Mr. DEMİREL said that it would be possible to reach better results through these co-operations.
In the second part of the Steel Constructions seminar at Karabük, steel construction projects have been presented in details to the participants by architectural and structural designers of projects. The first course of the TUCSA's 2012 education programme to support the development in the sector was realised in Karabük. "Steel Construction Elements Design Course" organised by TUCSA and supported by KARDEMIR and in cooperation with the University of Karabük Continuing Education Application and Research Centre (KABÜSEM) was held on May 25-26-27, 2012 at the KABÜSEM Meeting Halls of the University of Karabük. The course was given by Prof. Dr. Nesrin YARDIMCI, head of Civil Engineering Department of the University of Yeditepe, Prof. Dr. Cavidan YORGUN and Ass.Prof. Dr. Cüneyt VATANSEVER from the Istanbul Technical University Civil Engineering Department. Topics of the course were "design rules according to AISC 360-10 (Specification for Structural Steel Buildings); introduction to structural steel design, connections, tension elements, compression members, flexural members, elements under the effects of bending and axial forces.
EARTHQUAKES IN VAN, TURNED THE FOCUS OF THE GOVERNMENT TO STEEL CONSTRUCTIONS
Two earthquakes occurred in Van, one of which was of 7,2 magnitude on October 23, 2011, and other one was of 5,6 magnitude on November 9, 2011. Due to the earthquake, 644 people were dead and more than 2.000 were injured. Also more than 35.000 houses were heavily damaged.
The first requirements of the region were tents and containers because of its geography and heavy winter conditions. 75 thousand tents and more than 30 thousand containers were placed in the region. High priority buildings such as schools, dormitories and some houses were built by using steel. Then construction of other permanent buildings started.
THE SYSTEM PROJECT OF MARITIME TRAFFIC SERVICES FOR
İZMİR, İZMİT, MERSİN AND İSKENDERUN REGIONS
Owner: Prime Ministry Undersecretariat of Maritime Affairs
Architectural Design: A. Ragıp BULUÇ
Load Baring System and Solution Principles : Alaittin ATTAROşLU
Main Contractor: Mesut TANDOşAN-Yılmaz KAYA
Steel Construction Manufacturer: Üçgen İnşaat
Place and Date of the Project: Izmir (11 pcs), Izmit (3 pcs), Mersin-Iskenderun (7 pcs) Marmara Region (3 pcs)
Essay: Architect Ragıp BULUÇ
After the reinforced concrete radar towers in Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits, because the territory of the towers that would be built in Marmara, Izmit, Izmir, Mersin Regions (25 pcs total) are not suitable to cast concrete, mostly in forests, cliff and byways, the use of steel was must. It is decided to use the system, which is developed by Senior Engineer Mr. Alaittin ATTAROşLU, who also has the patent right of the system, named as "The Method of Stabilisation of Spirals by using Flat Bars".
This is a small and light system that one person can lift and carry each piece by himself. Besides, it is preferred to use because there will be no water and wind traps when the tower is finished. 2 cylinders in each other are thought as architectural design. Outer cylinder ends with ellipse cross section, and the lightning conductor which has to be above level the radar unit are placed on the top point of the ellipse. So, the turning radar antenna is not precluded. The tower is placed in the middle of a square yard made up of prefabricated units. The red colour, preferred to warn the planes, is used in the outer cylinder, the white colour is used in the inner cylinder.
The contrast view of a technological building in the forest is a magnificent result without using any artificialities.
KAYALAR CHEMISTRY PAINT PRODUCTION BUILDING
Owner: Kayalar Chemistry Co.
Architectural Design: UMO Architecture
Structural Design: Çelik Yapı
Main Contractor: Çelik Yapı
Steel Construction Manufacturer: Tabosan
Place of the Project: Tuzla-Istanbul
To provide load bearing steel platform and pipe bridges etc. which are necessary for the best production process, to create a stock area with wide span, to transfer the products in a most proper way are required.
The building is made up of 18 axes in longitudinal direction, 3 axes in front (short edge) direction, of which dimension is 102 m x 40 m. At the first stage, it was built as 78 m x 40 m. Its remaining part of 24 m x 40 m was initially planned as extension area. The foundation of the whole building was done. On the superstructure, frames of 40m span was placed on 78m direction at every 6m. Every second frames has mid-column. The frames at the centre line of the building on the longitudinal direction is a structural bearing for the frames without mid-column, and transfers the seismic load in the longitudinal direction.
Because the building was planned as a warehouse, the live load is high. Consequently, the piled foundation system was used considering that as the soil condition is weak. Therefore, vertical loads are transferred from deck slab to the end foundation beams, from beams to the piles, and from piles to the strong ground. The piles also transfer the loads coming from the superstructures to the strong ground.
KAYALAR CHEMISTRY MANAGERIAL BUILDING OFFICE SECTION
The managerial building consist of three sections; dining hall, laboratory and offices. There are a basement, three normal storeys and a garret attic in the building. A bearing structure system was demanded, which would be in harmony with the elliptic and outward curved facade design of the building, enable to use the interior area as open offices without any obstacles under favour of wide spans, not violate the transparency.
The Structural System was 3D modelled by SAP2000 programme because its axles were not orthogonal. The composite deck slabs have not been described in the programme. Instead, the diaphragm effects were taken into account in the solution by describing separate diaphragms for each storey. "Mode Connection Method" described in the Turkish Eartquake Code (ABYYHY) was used in the seismic design calculation of the building. The combinations described in the item 6.7.5. of the code are taken into account in the seismic design calculation, because of the A4 irregularity of the building accordingly.
The basement of the building was solved by using the reinforced concrete, and steel was used for the structure of three normal storeys and roof.The foundation area is approximately 600 m2 and elevation of storey is 3,90m.
Upper elevation of the building is +1. Piled raft foundation is used, and the radius of piles is 65cm which reached to the strong ground. The surrounding of the basement is reinforced concrete curtains and so that the rigidity of the building and also resistance to the soil impulse were provided. 15cm thick reinforced concrete deck slab with beam was used in the basement. The load bearing structural system of three normal storeys and the roof have been designed by using steel. Steel load bearing structural system is the frame system in both directions. All deck slabs (except the roof) are 12cm thick composite slabs. Membrane surfacing is used on the roof.
Architect Boğaçhan DÜNDARALP:
"Steel constructions can express the idea and the technologic exposition well..."
"You have to build a construction based on the precision of steel structures, and with a layered system. Steel itself presents us a layered system with the equipments and the ones combined with it, and after transformation of it to a building. I don't recommend a system that is completed at once. Or the required layers are created with precise relations. This means solving much more details. And also it means to be able to meet the same layering to be done with different subcontracting services, different workmen, different styles. You know, as the systems spreads out more, it is more complicated to come over the situation. They do not prefer when they do not want to experience these difficulties. In some situations, steel is must, and it is solved rapidly when required. You can achieve what other systems can't do, you can pass over large spans. We can see some construction areas where constructional physics are not required so much and those can be solved with simpler details. So, the layering becomes less. In this case, it is like less risky.
I prefer to use hybrid systems. I also try to solve the building in a hybrid way. When it is hybrid, it includes steel, concrete and wood, all in a form in our buildings. Because I am curious on construction systems, I try to create systems that work as a shell. "