Detection of material degradation of urban facades constitutes a preliminary activity for the preparation of any restoration response project. The traditional method for fixation relies on mechanical contact means and requires a great time effort to obtain a few preliminary points. In addition, the size of buildings and historical places make it difficult to examine the types of material deterioration, and on-site visual analyzes and current inspections by experts can also lead to human-induced errors. The development of methods based on UAV photogrammetry in order to reduce the labor force and margin of error in solving this situation brings great convenience for the detection of material deterioration in historical areas. The aim of the study carried out in this context is to document the material problems of "Sarışıh Han", a historical masonry building located in the Tarsus district of Mersin, which is of great importance for its continuity. Contributing to the documentation, detection and repair of financial problems for the preservation of the cultural heritage of the region and thus the sustainable management of the structures in the geographical region. In this context, material problems in the structure were documented using UAV photogrammetry method. In the study, the use of UAV photogrammetry to support the constraints of material deteriorations allows for more detailed results in façade analysis of material deteriorations, leading to simplification of manual and direct search procedures.

Diyarbakır City Walls, one of the longest defensive structures in the world, following the Great Wall of China, the walls of Antakya, and the walls of Istanbul, is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015. With a history of approximately 5000 years, the Diyarbakır City Walls have been affected by consecutive earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş in 2023, resulting in damages to various sections. Urgent restoration and repair interventions are needed for these sections of the Diyarbakır City Walls due to earthquake-induced damages. Although there are limited studies presenting stone analysis of the Diyarbakır City Walls in the literature, no studies focusing on mortar analysis have been found. The objectives of this study are as follows: (I) to identify the mechanisms and factors of earthquake damages in the Diyarbakır City Walls, (II) to conduct necessary analyses for the selection of mortar materials for post-earthquake repairs, and (III) to provide restoration and strengthening recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the original structure. Observational, petrographic, chemical, and SEM analysis techniques were used, and the findings were interpreted comparatively. The results demonstrate that the most severe damages after the earthquake in the Diyarbakır City Walls were caused by the inadequate adhesion of missing mortar joints and different types of materials used between double-walled structures. Additionally, the presence of clay minerals identified in the mineralogy of the mortar through experimental analysis was defined as an internal issue causing the loss of mortar due to osmotic pressure created by water absorption. Another factor causing the loss of mortar is the presence of chloride-type salts, which were found to be present in a significant amount in all samples and were attributed to the use of Portland cement in previous faulty repairs. It was also determined that recent faulty repointing works contributed to the loss of mortar. Finally, this article presents original restoration and strengthening recommendations to repair the earthquake-induced damages and prevent their reoccurrence in the future.

The purpose of this research is to examine the publications focusing on earthquakes in the category of architecture (web of science). The data of the research was analyzed with the Biblioshiny software program. This software program makes a bibliometric analysis on which topics and concepts earthquake research focuses. In addition, images and frequencies of publications related to architecture and earthquakes were revealed. The data of the research was collected between 1-15 July 2023. Results for Architecture (WoS Categories) AND earthquake* (Topic) OR earthquake AND architecture (Topic) OR earthquake AND house (Topic) OR earthquake AND structure (Topic) OR earthquake AND damage (Topic) OR earthquake AND city (Topic) OR earthquake AND urban (Topic) and Türkiye (Countries/Regions). Data were collected with keywords in the Web of Science database. According to the research findings, there are 1033 publications and in the country/region category (Türkiye), 83 publications are accessed. The most used words in the publications are earthquake, urban transformation, Istanbul, seismic, retrofit, assessment, structural, urban, damage, buildings and performance.

Abandoned quarries are valuable as a tourism element, as they exhibit the building material of the buildings built in the geographical area they are located in as historical objects. However, in order to determine how the quarries can be used for tourism purposes, it is necessary to determine the constraints on the choice of solution in spatial arrangements. The aim of this study is to investigate how the ancient limestone quarry of Mardin, which is a natural and cultural geological heritage, can be used for tourism and to develop suggestions. Within the scope of the study, in order to examine the possibilities of how an idle quarry located in Mardin province in Turkey can be used for tourism, the constraints in the selection of the post-use solution will be determined. In order to determine whether the Mardin quarry is accessible and safe to visit, various field studies were carried out in the study area, laboratory experiments and analyses. The caves were scanned with a 3D laser scanner, and its plans and sections were obtained. The findings were evaluated and suggestions were developed for the use of the ancient limestone quarry for tourism.

Today, the building materials form the historical buildings are being exposed to various deteriorations increasingly due to different causes. Many historical masonry constructions in the world are on the edge of extinction due to the increasing frequency and changing models of material deterioration. The materials as close as possible to the original materials in terms of their chemical compositions and physical properties are required in the reconstruction and maintenance of the buildings that have historical importance. In addition, the properties of the materials used in the historical buildings are generally not known with a sufficient accuracy. This causes misapplications in case of emergencies, and also may lead to future potential greater damages on the building. The lack of data regarding the engineering properties of these buildings causes long-term damages on the buildings due to inappropriate conservation methods and materials. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the properties of certain materials for application in the renewal of the historical buildings. Within this context, in this study the construction materials of Mardin Castle, which is located in Mardin Province, Turkey and existing for centuries as the symbol of the city, are investigated and its properties are reached. Experimental research methods were used in the study. Primarily, the castle structure was examined on-site by field study and sampling was carried out from the areas determined. The samples were analyzed via various spectroscopic and geophysical methods, and various findings were achieved. Relatively variable and high levels of salinization were determined in the findings regarding the average values in stone samples of Mardin Castle’s Fortification Walls. Results of the research document the conservation status regarding Mardin Castle and provide an experimental base and also a theoretical support for the conservation of historical buildings in Turkey; and present indicative suggestions to establish conservation schemes of the historical buildings.

Diyarbakır’ın Silvan İlçesi, geleneksel kent kültürünün soyut ve somut unsurlarını barındıran bir yerleşimdir. 1990 yılında Silvan surları koruma alanı oluşturulmasına rağmen, Silvan koruma amaçlı imar planı hala yapılmamıştır. Sur içinin sit alanı ilan edilmemesi ve tescil işlemlerinin çok geç başlaması; birçok evin yıkılmasına, niteliksiz eklerin yapılmasına hatta betonarme yapılaşmaya neden olmuş ve insan etkileri ile oluşan bilinçsiz müdahale geleneksel yapıların yıpranmasını hızlandırmıştır. Bu çalışmanın amacı yersel lazer taramadan çeşitli tekniklerle elde edilen verileri yerinde incelemeden elde edilen verilerle birleştirerek geleneksel Silvan evlerinin özelliklerini yansıtan Silvan Konağı’na dair malzeme bozulmalarını tespit etmek ve belgelemektir. Yapının korunması geleneksel Silvan evleri kültürel mirasının devamlılığı noktasında önemlidir. Çalışmada gözlemsel tespit, fotoğrafla belgeleme ve yersel lazer tarama yöntemleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda konutta hatalı onarım ve bakımsızlık kaynaklı bozulmaların en sık rastlanan sorunlar olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Özellikle cephelerde malzeme kayıplarını onarım amaçlı yapılan bilinçsizce işlemler olan çimento esaslı harç ile müdahale yapının görsel algısını bozduğu gibi taş malzemeye de zarar verdiği görülmektedir. Çalışma sonuçları, yersel lazer tarayıcının hiçbir temas söz konusu olmaksızın malzemelerin ve nem, tuz, yosun ve liken gibi biyolojik değişiklikler malzemeleri etkileyen farklı hasar türlerinin dokümantasyonu alanında büyük faydalar gösterdiği, bu yöntemle tespitinde yüksek doğruluk ve hız kazanıldığı olgularına destek vermektedir.