Historical minarets are quite sensitive structures against horizontal loads as they are tall, slender and masonry constructions. Due to their special characters, significant damages are occurred in critical part by devastating earthquakes. These damages lead to more comprehensive studying about minarets. In this study; the effect of geometrical features was investigated for dynamic behavior of seven historical masonry minarets in Bursa. However, dynamic character identification of historical masonry minarets are so difficult. Therefore, ambient vibration test were performed with aim of defining modal parameters of the minarets. Since the structural behavior of historical minarets were also represented with mathematical models, three dimensional (solid) models were implemented by using the finite element software Abaqus Cae. Model updating was performed in order to match the natural frequencies arising from the experimental investigation with those from numerical results. According to the results obtained from both forms, effect of geometric features on the dynamic behavior of minarets was evaluated. The relationships are between the first mode period of the minarets and the structural properties such as height, cross section, boundary condition. Then, the analytical formula was derived from the relationships for rapid estimation of the fundamental period of the typical Ottoman minarets. Finally, it was found that the period of the minarets from the formula close enough to modal test and modal analysis results.

The mosques are the most important pieces of Islamic culture in terms of their architectural and structural properties. Although, thousands of these mosques are still being used all over the world, many historical mosques are at risk in terms of seismic events. This study mainly focuses on historical Lala Pasha Mosque, which is located in the city center of Erzurum, Turkey. The main purpose of this study is to assess the structural behaviors and to investigate the architectural features and components of the mosque. The study was carried out in two main steps. Firstly, compression and three-point bending tests on the construction materials were conducted to determine the mechanical properties of the materials. In the second step, a three-dimensional finite element model of the mosque was developed and structural responses for the model were investigated by means of static and dynamic analyses. The results of the analyses show that the most critical parts of the mosque are the dome, pulley, and the supports of the main arch structures that carry the main dome. Additionally, the dynamic analyses prove that the most critical parts of the mosque are the sub-sections of the main columns, the window edges, and small domes.

Reinforced concrete buildings suffered significant damage in the region affected by the 29 May 2011 earthquake in Simav (Kutahya), Turkey. Typical building damage is classified and potential causes of damage are investigated. Reinforced concrete moment resisting frames with hollow brick infill walls are the most common structural system in and around the Simav city center while masonry construction is common in rural areas. Although the Simav earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.7 to 5.9, can be classified as a moderate earthquake, many buildings experienced damage varying from frequent diagonal cracking and brittle failure of infill walls to collapse or severe damage to frames due to short columns, soft stories or other reasons including insufficient or poor detailing of reinforcement. This study investigates and presents the seismicity of the region, characteristics of the measured ground motions, seismic load demands including response spectra, and damage mechanisms, potential causes and classification of observed damage in reinforced concrete buildings.

Lime-based mortars, frequently used in historic structures, are classified as hydraulic and non-hydraulic according to how they gain strength. In the past, various methods were used to improve the strength and durability properties of lime-based hydraulic mortars such as Khorasan mortar. Today, in studies carried out to increase the strength of lime-based mortars, the effects of binders, aggregates, and additives, which are the basic components of the mortar, are examined. In this study, the mechanical properties of Khorasan mortar mixtures, which are frequently used in the restoration of historical structures, were examined under the influence of different parameters. In particular, the effects of variables such as aggregate type and ratio (river sand and crushed brick), binder type and ratio (natural hydraulic lime, metakaolin, and blast furnace slag), and water/total dry material ratio on the strength of mortars were investigated experimentally. In the experimental study, two different aggregate types (river sand and crushed brick) were used in 1/3 and 1/2 ratios, and three different binders (natural hydraulic lime, metakaolin, and blast furnace slag) were used in different ratios. The water-to-total-dry-material ratios were set at 0.2 and 0.25. Standard test samples were then created from the prepared mortar mixtures, and their flexural and compressive strengths were assessed at 28 and 56 days. A statistical analysis of the experimental data was conducted using the Taguchi method, allowing for a detailed examination of how the different parameters influenced the strength of the mortars. Through this analysis, the optimal mixture ratios that maximized mortar strength were successfully identified.