Collapse mechanism of historical masonry mosques under strong ground motions

Abstract

The protection of historical masonry mosques against earthquakes can be achieved by an accurate assessment of nonlinear behavior, such as heavy damage and collapse. To this end, nonlinear analysis of 3D finite element models of structures is a common and reliable approach. This article examines the seismic performance of four historical mosques, which are defined as cultural assets by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of the Republic of Turkey, under the influence of earthquake ground motion. Three of these mosques have not been studied before using any advanced numerical simulation method. In addition, no studies have been conducted to determine the damage propagation and collapse mechanisms of these mosques. Detailed finite element models were developed by defining the architectural features of mosques. In order to obtain the seismic behavior and collapse mechanisms of the mosques, nonlinear dynamic analyses were performed using the ground motion records from 1992 Erzincan, 1992 Cape Mendocino and 1995 Kobe earthquakes. An evaluation has been made for mosques in terms of mode shapes, maximum principal strains, maximum displacements, damage distributions and failure mechanisms. It has been determined that the crack distribution and damage mechanism can be generalized in historical masonry domed mosques with square plan.