Enhancing seismic resilience: A proposed reinforcement technique for historical minarets

Abstract

Historical minarets are culturally and architecturally significant structures, often susceptible to substantial damage over time due to different load conditions. Therefore, the reinforcement of such buildings holds paramount importance. This study presented a proposal for strengthening historical rubble stone minarets, exemplified by the minaret of Murat Pasha Mosque in Erzurum, Turkey. A finite element model of the minaret was constructed to comprehend its behavior, with the suggested reinforcement method integrated into this model. The impact of the proposed reinforcement on the minaret's behavior was comprehensively investigated through various numerical methods including modal analyses, pushover analyses, and non-linear dynamic analyses. The analyses revealed that the proposed reinforcement increased the first mode frequency of the minaret by approximately 9.8%. Additionally, it was observed that the reinforcement method augmented the minaret's lateral load-carrying capacity by 58%. Consequently, it was concluded that the proposed reinforcement technique effectively enhances the minaret's resilience under demanding conditions, potentially preventing damage. The proposed reinforcement configuration also significantly alters the collapse mechanism of the minaret, as evidenced by the dynamic analysis results, facilitating a more controlled mode of failure. In this regard, it provides a more secure solution by enhancing the minaret's resilience in an earthquake, thereby reducing environmental safety risks. In conclusion, this study contributes to preserving this invaluable cultural heritage by offering an effective reinforcement method to enchance the seismic resilience of historical minarets. Future research endeavors may further refine these reinforcement techniques and explore alternative material options.