2-3 October 2012, Sanliurfa – TURKEY

NO DIG TURKEY 2012 CONFERENCE started with the welcoming speech of Mr. Yasin Torun – Chairman of TSITT. Afterwards, Mr. John Hemphill – Executive Director of ISTT and Prof. Dr. Samuel Ariaratnam – Chairman of ISTT gave their opening speeches. Then, Mr. Fevzi Yucetepe – Deputy Mayor of Sanliurfa, Mr. Guven Karacuha – Deputy General Manager of DSI (State Hydraulic Works) and Mr. Sadrettin Karahocagil – President of GAP (Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration) gave their opening speeches. Afterwards, Mr. Celalettin Guvenc – Governor of Sanliurfa gave his keynote speech. Mr. Guvenc mentioned that trenchless technology is a must for Sanliurfa and entire Turkey and he is very honoured as this year’s event is held in the city of Sanliurfa – a unique city having a history more than twelve thousand years. Additionally, he mentioned that the Government will continuously support TSITT and the International No Dig 2015 Conference and Exhibition which will be held in Istanbul, Turkey.

In the afternoon session, Mr. Umit Canturk – Managing Director of TEKSU and Mr. Arcan Haciraifoglu – Managing Director of DOGUS VANA made separate presentations with the title of ‘Trenchless Technology and Applications of Non-Revenue Water Management in Turkey’. Then, Mr. Onur Kaya – Managing Director of BORETEC made a presentation with the title of ‘Trenchless Technology and Applications of Horizontal Directional Drilling in Turkey’. Thereafter, Dr. Ihsan Engin Bal of ITU (Istanbul Technical University) made a presentation with the title of ‘Trenchless Technology and Applications of Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) in Water Transmission Systems’. Then, Mr. Abdullah Sarikaya – Deputy General Manager of ENERMAK made a presentation with the title of ‘Trenchless Technology and Applications of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in Turkey’. Afterwards, Mr. Suat Mizrak – Manager of SAMPAS made a presentation with the title of ‘Underground Infrastructure Mapping and Information System’. Mr. Sener Polat – the CIPP Consultant of TSITT made the last presentation of the 1st day with the title of ‘Trenchless Technology and Applications of Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) in Europe’.

The 2nd day of the event started with the presentation of Mr. Yasin Torun – Chairman of TSITT with the title of ‘The Situation and Importance of Trenchless Technology in Turkey’. Afterwards, Prof. Dr. Samuel Ariaratnam – Chairman of ISTT made an excellent presentation with the title of ‘Trenchless Technology in International Dimension – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’. Then, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cemal Balci of ITU (Istanbul Technical University) made a presentation on TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) Selection and Rock Cutting Tests. Later, Prof. Dr. Hanifi Copur of ITU (Istanbul Technical University) made a presentation with the title of ‘Trenchless Technology and Applications of Microtunnelling in Turkey’. Then Dr. Gregor Nieder – Managing Director of BOHRTEC made a presentation with the title of ‘Microtunnelling for Small Diameters up to DN800 – 30 Years’ Experience in Germany’. Prof. Dr. Nuh Bilgin of ITU (Istanbul Technical University) made the last presentation in the 2nd day with the title of ‘Trenchless Technology and Applications of Tunnelling in Turkey’.

In the afternoon session, a technical tour is arranged to the site of Suruc Tunnel project – World’s 5th longest water transmission tunnel under construction in Sanliurfa TR. A Tunnel Boring Machine with a diameter of 7.83 m. has been working since the year of 2010 for 17 km total length of the tunnel. After the NO DIG TURKEY 2012 CONFERENCE, TSITT held a two-day short course on Mechanized Tunnelling and Microtunnelling in Sanliurfa TR on 4-5 October 2012.

TSITT is very thankful to ISTT, Governorship of Sanliurfa, Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration, Sanliurfa Municipality, General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, General Directorate of Highways, Sakarya Water and Sewerage Administration, Istanbul Technical University, Harran University, International Water Technology Association, Turkish Tunnelling Society and many other national/international institutions for their valuable support and participants from Turkey, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Egypt, Palestine for their large level of attendance.

TSITT proudly announces that No Dig Turkey events will take place each year in Turkey. After organizing 2013 and 2014 No Dig Turkey events, International No Dig 2015 Istanbul Conference and Exhibition will take place in Istanbul, Turkey. We kindly invite all individuals, institutions and companies around the world to take place in No Dig events in Turkey in a unique country located in the intersection point of Europe, Asia and Middle East.