Historical Masonry Structures Research Articles

Out-of-plane shake table tests on solid masonry walls with timber floors

Out-of-plane (OOP) collapse is one of the most observed damage types in masonry structures during strong earthquakes. OOP strength of a masonry wall depends on several parameters such as the dimensions of the wall, vertical restoring force, boundary conditions and material properties, which are parameters creating complex kinematics during an earthquake. Testing of OOP response of a masonry wall is thus a challenging task, also because additional to the complexities mentioned, the seismic forces triggering OOP are caused by inertia of the wall itself, a phenomenon that needs dynamic testing. All these facts make shake table tests of masonry walls for capturing the OOP response extremely relevant. This paper presents shake table tests on a total of four wall specimens, two of which were reference walls and the other two were strengthened solid masonry walls. The tested walls built to represent the characteristics of Groningen houses built before the Second World War and also the historical masonry structures in the region. The strengthening methods applied are the deep-mounted carbon strips embedded in flexible epoxy and helical bars applied in mortar beds. The shake table tests presented here show that OOP specimens not including the additional masses imposed by the floors may oversee important kinematic response characteristics of the walls. Furthermore, tests have also shown that even serious cracks caused by OOP response close when the shaking stops, which causes damage on the walls and significant decrease in the stiffness, but they are extremely difficult to be caught by human inspection. This has consequences in terms of ongoing damage inspection and compensation efforts taking place in the Groningen gas field. The strengthening methods applied to the two specimens have shown clear improvement in strength, and a partial improvement in progression of damage.

Ancient architectural pathology of blue bricks and brick carvings in Northwest China: Example from the White Temple Tower

Rising damp is one of the main problems affecting historical masonry structures worldwide, as it affects the appearance of heritage architecture and reduces strength. In this study, to reproduce the pathologies as much as possible and explain the mechanism, the aging test was set up with the climate data (temperature, humidity, etc.) derived from the real environment in nature at the location of the White Temple Tower, which was the object of this study. The tests mimicked the temperature, humidity, and types of salt solutions as closely as possible. Unlike the traditional aging test (producing specimens in accordance with some standards), two samples of blue brick carvings and blue brick cubes were used for the test. The results show that brick carvings suffered more severe surface degradation than brick cubes under various circumstances. Brick specimens' mechanical characteristics, such as wave velocity and compressive strength, were greatly diminished, and there was a fluctuating trend in surface hardness and color difference. The data indicate a size effect on the weathering between brick carvings and brick cubes, with the former displaying a faster rate of weathering under identical conditions. The experiment successfully simulates some of the phenomena observed in the field and provides an idea for studying the weathering of brick artifacts.

Methodology for the Integration of Structural Health Assessment of Masonry Bridges into HBIM

ABSTRACT A methodology is proposed to efficiently develop BIM models of masonry arch bridges, with the objective of generating databases (Level of Information, LoI) associated with 3D geometrical models, incorporating different levels of detail (LoD). The use of parametric libraries is implemented to develop the models. The first step is to perform an experimental campaign to obtain initial data. With these data and the parametric library previously created, a parametric model of the structure is generated (low LoD). A map of the vulnerable areas of the structure is created on this model and the available information is linked to it. A structural model (high LoD) is also created and calibrated. With all this information, an HBIM file is generated. A second experimental campaign is performed on the structure using non-destructive techniques. Point clouds, OMA data, photographs, and visual inspections from the different experimental campaigns are compared to the original HBIM file. In addition, to validate the usefulness of the parametric library, its implementation is carried out on three other historic masonry structures. This comprehensive and technologically advanced approach proves to be a promising strategy for the conservation and sustainable management of architectural heritage.

Valorization of Cappadocia waste earth in the production of sustainable lime-based grouts

Historical structures and natural landscapes in Turkey's Cappadocia Region, a popular tourist spot, have been designated mixed heritage sites on the World Heritage List since 1985. The region's old rock-cut and masonry constructions have been damaged for various reasons. Furthermore, the waste volcanic tuff excavated during the construction of rock-cut structures in the region totals around 10 million tons of waste material per year. It creates severe visual concerns since it cannot be used effectively in the area. Because repairing ancient buildings needs precision, the restoration method and material should be selected based on the structures' structural system and material attributes. Grouting is one of the most common ways of repairing and strengthening masonry buildings or fissured architectural pieces with adequate connected voids. This technique aims to restore damaged structures' continuity, cohesiveness, and strength while keeping their morphology and load-bearing system intact. This research explores the potential use of waste earth from rock-cut structures in the Cappadocia Region in hydraulic lime-based grouts. Thus, an injection material that can be used to repair fairy chimneys and historical rock-cut and masonry structures in this region will be produced. Various lime-based grout types containing Cappadocia waste earth (CWE) were produced in this scope. The evaluation of grout performance encompassed assessments in the fresh state (Fluidity, Penetrability, and Volume Stability) and the hardened state (Flexural and Compressive strength). Furthermore, this research delved into how Cappadocia waste earth (CWE) influences the physical and microstructural characteristics of lime-based grouts. Thanks to this study, both environmental pollution will be reduced, and sustainability will be contributed.

Conservation-oriented integrated approach for structural stability assessment of complex historic masonry structures

The paper presents a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosing the structural stability of the Takiyya of Ibrahim al-Gulshani in Historic Cairo using geometric and architectural documentation, field survey, laboratory tests, and numerical analyses under static and seismic conditions. The Takiyya, built during the Mamluk period, is an important medieval architectural complex in Egypt and has undergone multiple renovations. The field-testing includes geotechnical and geophysical investigations to evaluate the properties of the bearing soil beneath the monument. A 3D survey using Terrestrial Laser Scanning was employed to record Takiyya’s geometry. Terrestrial photogrammetry and high-resolution images accompanied by an in-situ damage survey were used to document cracking levels, stone weathering, and identification of decay patterns. Laboratory tests were conducted to assess the mineral composition, physical and mechanical properties of the construction materials to enable structural assessments. Data appraisal and integration into architectural drawings was used for mapping degradation patterns and the preservation state of the building. The documentation procedures combined with experiments were then employed to develop a model for structural analysis. Three-dimensional finite element numerical simulations employing macro-modelling approaches were performed for the Takiyya structures under various loading conditions, including modelling the bearing soil, resulting in good agreement with in-situ recorded structure damage patterns. The static and seismic nonlinear analyses helped identify the causes and effects of the current structural deficiencies. The adopted methodologies provided large amounts of information, permitting an improved understanding of existing damage and the assessment of the preservation state of the masonry structure. This project exists thanks to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) and is funded by World Monument Fund (WMF) through various donors.

A mason-inspired pattern generator for historic masonry structures using quality indexes

A considerable amount of historic masonry structures (HMS) are composed of irregular stone. However, few studies have systematically investigated the influence of masonry patterns (or masonry unit arrangements) on structural behaviour. The main difficulty stems from the pattern acquisition and the definition of adequate parameters that correlate the pattern with the structural behaviour. To this aim, this paper presents a stochastic 2D coursed-rectangular masonry pattern generator that incorporates geometric quality indexes (QI) to generate patterns with consistent masonry quality and structural behaviour. The generator's input parameters separately consider the available stone units and the "virtual mason"'s skill level to cover the range of possible pattern qualities. Finally, micro limit analysis simulations show how deviation from the "rules of art" reduces strength capacity by up to 30%. Furthermore, it has been discussed how masonry patterns generated with selected QI-s show consistent structural behaviour, e.g. reducing the coefficient of variation of the strength capacities by 15%.

Tarihi Erzincan Çadırcı Hamamı'nın Deprem Davranışının İncelenmesi ve Günümüze Kadar Ulaşmasının Sebepleri

In this study, the earthquake behaviour of the historical Çadırcı Bathhouse in Erzincan, which is located on the North Anatolian Fault, the most active fault line of Turkey, was investigated. This historical masonry structure has preserved its structural integrity despite being exposed to two earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 in 1939 and 6.7 in 1992. In accordance with the architectural survey studies, the historical building was modelled in 3D in two different types according to shell and solid modelling techniques. According to the results of response spectrum analysis, stress and displacement distributions and modal characteristic parameters of the structure were evaluated. When the analysis results of the models created with the solid model technique and the shell model technique are compared, it is concluded that the shell modelling technique is safe in such studies, considering the analysis time and modelling difficulty. According to the results of the analyses, considering the stress distribution in the historical building elements, it is seen that the configuration characteristics of historical masonry structures are important in earthquake resistance like other building systems.

PLAXIS 3D numerical analysis of complex geotechnical problems of colossal built heritage

The paper aims to contribute to the preservation of high valuable historic masonry structures and historic urban landscapes through the combination of geotechnical, structural engineering. The main objective of the study is to conduct finite element analysis (FEA) of bearing saturated soft clay soil problems and induced structural failure mechanisms. This analysis is based on experimental and numerical studies using coupled PLAXIS 3D FE models. The paper presents a geotechnical analytical model for the measurement of stresses, deformations, and differential settlement of saturated clay soils under colossal stone/brick masonry structures. The study also discusses the behavior of soft clay soils under Qasr Yashbak through numerical analysis, which helps in understanding the studied behavior and the loss of soil-bearing capacity due to moisture content or ground water table (G.W.T) changes. The paper presents valuable insights into the behavior of soft clay soils under colossal stone/ brick masonry structures. The present study summarized specific details about the limitations and potential sources of error in Finite Element Modeling (FEM). Further field research and experimental analysis may be required to address these limitations and enhance the understanding of the studied soft clay soil behavior. The geotechnical problems in historic monuments and structures such as differential settlement are indeed important issues for their conservation since it may induce serious damages. It deserves more in-depth researches.

Seismic evaluation of historical Pertev Pasha Mansion under February 6 Kahramanmaraş (Pazarcık) Earthquake (Mw 7.7)

Historical masonry structures with aesthetic aspects play an important role in cultural heritage. However, such structures are vulnerable to seismic effects. Therefore, periodic maintenance and structural evaluations are required for these structures. In this study, a historical masonry building called the Pertev Pasha Mansion, located in Trabzon, Turkey, was selected for the evaluation. The building was demolished in the last few years and has been planned to be rebuilt in its original form. In the study, the finite element model of the building was created based on reconstruction drawings. Modal analysis was performed to obtain the frequencies and mode shapes of the building. Finally, seismic analyses were conducted based on the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes for two different acceleration records that were collected from different stations, one near the epicenter (Pazarcık station) of the earthquake and the other near the building (Ortahisar station). From the results of the modal analysis, the frequency and mode shapes of the structure were obtained. The displacement and stress results were obtained from the seismic analysis and presented with contour diagrams. At the end of the study, a general evaluation considering the novel Turkish guidelines for historic structures was conducted. According to the results of the seismic analysis performed using the Pazarcık station data, the drift ratio values of the structure exceeded 0.7%, which corresponds to the Collapse Prevention (CP) performance level. However, according to the seismic analysis results obtained using Ortahisar station data, the maximum drift ratio of the structure was 0.001%, corresponding to the Limited Damage (LD) performance level. Consequently, if the building had been built close to the center of the earthquake, it was likely to collapse, but it was estimated that it would have received limited damage because its current location was far from the center of the earthquake.

Effect of Textile Reinforced Mortar components on the mechanical behavior of historical masonry structures under cyclic loading

Masonry structures without reinforcement are generally considered unsuitable in seismically active areas due to their poor performance as a bracing system.Historical masonry is particularly affected by this issue. The need to find solutions to this problem has attracted the interest of the scientific community to preserve this cultural heritage.Textile reinforced mortar (TRM) has proven his efficiency to reinforce masonry structures and various researches have investigated this concept of reinforcement in the case of diagonal compression tests. Despite this, several parameters must be studied in order to optimize this reinforcement technique in boundary conditions close to seismic situation.The study presented here aimed at assessing the effect of varying the mesh size of the textile and the orientation of its threads in strengthening historical masonry constructions with testing conditions similar to those of an earthquake (cyclic tests). It also aimed to assess the influence of varying lime mortar on the reinforcement performance by using two different limes in the TRM reinforcement.The principal additional knowledge of the present work is to point out the effect of mesh orientation and mesh opening in terms of dissipated energy and in terms of delaying the debonding time of TRM (a longer time for the multidirectional EQ grid) which is the main issue in the case of TRM structural reinforcement.An increase in peak load (+110 % for RW-EQ-L2) and in the dissipated energy (+200 % for RW-EQ-L2) were hence observed during the tests. These results provide valuable information about masonry walls strengthening and repair for the scientific community.

Assessment of seismic behavior of historical masonry cupolas: Case of Emir Saltuk Cupola

The protection of historical masonry structures against earthquakes requires a comprehensive understanding of their nonlinear behavior; including damage and collapse mechanisms. Throughout history and in present times, these structures have undergone multiple strengthening interventions to enhance their seismic resilience. In this context, the utilization of nonlinear analysis on 3D finite element models has become a common and reliable approach. This article focuses on the seismic performance of historical Emir Saltuk Cupola of Erzurum city which is recognized as a cultural asset by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of the Republic of Türkiye. Emir Saltuk Cupola is a rare work built in the 12th century as a monumental grave for the founder of Saltuklu Government. The study specifically examines the impact of a reinforced concrete pulley and dome, previously added to the cupola for the purposes of seismic strengthening, on its seismic behavior, force-displacement capacity, and collapse mechanism. Determining the seismic behavior of the structure is aimed to create an important reference for cupola structures, which are frequently encountered in the Turkish-Islamic geography. Notably, this study marks the first instance where advanced numerical simulation methods have been employed to analyses the cupola. Additionally, no prior research has been conducted to assess the propagation of damage and collapse mechanisms within this type of structure. Finite element model of the structure was developed considering the architectural characteristics of the cupola. The model was calibrated based on the findings of operational modal analysis. Nonlinear dynamic analyses were performed using ground motion records from significant earthquakes, including the 1992 Erzincan, 1995 Kobe and 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, to study the seismic behavior and collapse mechanisms of the cupola. The study evaluated the reinforced concrete pulley and dome in terms of maximum principal strains, maximum displacements, crack distributions, and failure mechanisms of the cupola. The reinforced concrete elements added to the structure in previous years, while assisting in a significant increase in strength capacity, did not contribute significantly to displacement capacity of the masonry. Additionally, it has been determined that under strong ground motions, these elements completely alter the collapse mechanism of the structure, leading to damage in the reinforced concrete elements and thus helping to prevent complete collapse. The findings highlight the substantial impact that strengthening interventions may be altering the seismic behavior of historical structures. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the seismic performance of historical masonry cupolas and emphasizes the importance of accurately assessing their behavior through advanced numerical simulations which are supported by in-situ experimentation.

An Experimental Study of Strength Increase in Masonry Wall Reinforced by One-sided Khorasan Mortar with Steel Mesh

The strengthening of masonry structures is of paramount importance due to their inherent lack of tensile elements, rendering them susceptible to tensile stresses induced by horizontal loads and the resultant substantial damage. Consequently, this study aims to develop a reinforcement system for the strengthening of historical masonry structures by using mortars devoid of cement and modern pozzolan. Experiments were conducted on masonry walls unreinforced and reinforced by a one-sided Khorasan mortar with steel mesh. Initially, six masonry brick walls constructed using Khorasan lime mortar were prepared. Subsequently, after a waiting period of six months, Khorasan plaster mortar, reinforced with steel mesh, was applied to three masonry walls on one side. Following an 18-month waiting period, all samples were subjected to testing in an experimental setup designed and manufactured for this purpose. The wall reinforcement resulted in a significant increase, with the average peak load by 215.73%, and the average displacement by 48.82%. The experimental shear force on unreinforced walls was found to be 41.23% lower than Eurocode-6 and 1.41% lower than TBDY-2018. In the case of one-sided reinforced walls, the experimental shear force was 9.94% lower than Eurocode-6 and 6.16% lower than TBDY-2018. This form of strengthening not only obviates the use of potentially damaging cement in historical buildings but also extends the lifespan of the reinforced structures. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-12-019 Full Text: PDF

Proof of Concept for Methodological Framework Including Point Clouds in the Non-Destructive Diagnosis of Historical Masonry Structures

ABSTRACT The diagnosis of cultural heritage structures is a challenging and delicate task. It involves the evaluation of potential pathological situations, the understanding of the origin of displacements and deformations, and the assessment of the state of conservation of building materials. Destructive and minor destructive techniques are mostly prevented from being used in the context of historical constructions and the complementary use of non-destructive techniques is often the only viable solution. This paper addresses the possibility of employing point clouds, widely used for representation aims, as a source of information to identify the deterioration patterns that can affect construction safety. The proposed methodology includes two approaches following a perspective based on simple and recurring elements that form the complex and unique shape of historical buildings. The geometry of structural elements guides the choice towards the computation either of the Z-coordinate of each point of the cloud or the Euclidean distance between the point cloud and an elementary non-deformed geometry fitted to it. By investigating several case studies and diverse deterioration patterns, the proposal establishes a framework to employ point clouds, together with other techniques, as an effective tool to support the diagnosis of heritage structures.

Investigating the Stability of the Candi Kelir using DDA

Candi Kelir, which is a candi in Prambanan, is a historical masonry structures threatened by high potency of earthquake in Indonesia. Investigating the stability of Candi Prambanan is essential for determining the capability to withstand earthquake loads. Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) has been extensively applied in the disciplines of rock mechanics and rock engineering. Two-dimensional DDA is chosen to simulate the behaviour of Candi Kelir towards earthquake load. Geometry of each block of Candi Kelir is obtained by Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP) method. Simulation of Candi Kelir is conducted using the seismic excitation from the destructive 2006 Yogyakarta Earthquake. The result of the simulation shows the capability of DDA to simulate the behaviour of masonry structure which allows fully detachment of the blocks. During the earthquake, most of the top structures are failing, thus DDA can simulate and generate the result. Wider application of DDA into the historical masonry structure will be helpful to prevent more damage due to earthquakes.

Determination of the seismic performance of a historical masonry structure using the equivalent seismic load method

Mosques and masjids are the most important parts of Islamic culture in terms of their architectural and structural characteristics. These structures also provide an important insight into the construction techniques and historical process of the region in which they were built. Many of these structures are still in use around the world. However, most historical mosques and masjids are vulnerable to earthquakes or are not strong enough. Therefore, it is important to know the risk status of these important structures with respect to earthquake forces and to carry out the necessary strengthening works. In this study, the performance of the historical Ahi Musa Masjid (built in 1185) was investigated using the linear earthquake solution method, which provides a practical approach to determining the earthquake performance of historical structures. Firstly, studies were carried out to determine the geometric and material properties of the historical Masjid. A finite element model of the historical Masjid was then constructed and linear performance analyses were performed under vertical loads and equivalent earthquake loads. As a result of the analyses, the displacement ratios, compressive and shear stresses of the historical Masjid were obtained and evaluated according to the collapse prevention performance level for the earthquake level DD-3, which is one of the performance levels recommended for historical structures of local importance in the Guidelines for the Management of Earthquake Risks for Historical Structures. The aforementioned stress and drift ratio values remained below the reference values. In conclusion, the Masjid will safely withstand the potential effects of an earthquake.

Structural performance assessment before strengthening of historic Structures: A case study of the historical Şerafettin mosque in Turkey

Historical masonry structures are invaluable remnants of the past, representing significant cultural heritage within societies. However, the ravages of time and natural disasters have led to the collapse or severe deterioration of numerous structures worldwide. Therefore, safeguarding these structures and passing them down to future generations necessitates effective strengthening measures. In this purpose, evaluating the structural performance of existing buildings constitutes a crucial aspect of such preservation efforts. While numerous countries have conducted studies in this domain, no universally accepted method exists to date. This study focuses on assessing the structural performance of historical masonry structures prior to retrofitting interventions. Specifically, the Şerafettin Mosque, an architectural gem dating back to the late 12th century in Konya, was selected as a case study for strengthening. The performance evaluation process entailed seven key steps: (Step-1) Structural System Investigation, (Step-2) Damage Assessment Studies, (Step-3) Seismicity Analysis of the Region, (Step-4) Geotechnical Field Tests, (Step-5) Geotechnical Laboratory Tests, (Step-6) Ambient Vibration Tests (AVTs), and (Step-7) Finite Element Analysis. This study highlights substantial contributions and novel findings resulting from a comprehensive analysis performed on a notable historical mosque. The precise examination of a significant historical structure emphasizes the exceptional importance and quality of this research. Additionally, a wide range of investigations were conducted on both the site and the building, with a strong emphasis on presenting these critical findings in a systematic manner. By incorporating these essential details, this study greatly contributes to the comprehension and preservation of historical structures, offering valuable insights for future research and conservation endeavors.

Understanding the Performance of Historic Masonry Structures in Mayfield, KY after the 2021 Tornadoes

Due to the rise in tornadoes in the United States, the built environment continues to suffer damage. Masonry buildings comprise a significant portion of the built heritage environment for most countries and are susceptible to natural hazards. However, research at the intersection of extreme wind loading and structural strengthening often neglects historic and aging infrastructure, particularly unreinforced masonry buildings, leading to their exclusion from the building code. This study aims to identify various factors that affect damages to unreinforced masonry structures during tornado loading. To begin, the structural performance of historic masonry constructions after the Mayfield, KY tornado in 2021 was evaluated, with multimodal data collected on-site, including aerial photographs, street-view imagery, and detailed field notes on observed damages. The on-site data included aerial photographs, street-view imagery, and detailed field notes for the observed damages. This data was supplemented by archival research and analyzed to identify the underlying relationships between building attributes and damage levels. The results indicate that damages in historic buildings were extensive and proportional to the year of construction and the distance from the tornado but not necessarily to the retrofit status.

Numerical Simulation of Severe Damage to a Historical Masonry Building by Soil Settlement

Historical masonry structures, which constitute an important part of the historical heritage, exhibit brittle behavior under tensile stresses due to earthquakes or soil movements/settlements. Therefore, they are sensitive to deformation. The soil–structure interaction problems play an important role in the damage to historical masonry structures. Different settlements, slips, and deformations in foundations causes damage to, and/or partial collapse the load-bearing walls. This study provides a numerical simulation of a historic masonry building on the north coast of Turkey, dating from 19th century, which suffered severe damage due to soil settlement by excavation activity near the building. FE models of the building with and without the soil–structure system were created to identify the damage to the building following soil settlement. The height of the soil domain (bounded as a fixed boundary condition) was accepted in the range of 1.5 m to 15 m. The damage propagation between the numerically obtained damage and the existing damage to the building was detailed and compared. In terms of displacement, the maximum vertical and horizontal displacement values reflecting the existing damage to the building were determined as 22 mm and 85 mm, respectively. The soil depth of 6 m was also considered acceptable for deciding the soil–structure interaction. For this, the sum of the rigid basement and the soil depth can be selected to be equal to the total height of the building participating in free vibration. It was concluded that the numerical procedure employed provided an effective representation of existing damage to a building due to soil settlement. Moreover, the procedure described can be adopted for possible collapse simulation.

Post-earthquake assessment of monumental building in Croatia by 3Muri software

Abstract. A series of earthquakes in and close to city of Zagreb, Croatia during the 2020 severely damaged the masonry cultural heritage buildings built in the 19th century. The article presents the assessment of post-earthquake design of retrofitting of damaged historic masonry structure of the former synagogue in city of Sisak, Croatia erected in 1890. The former synagogue was severely damaged during the recent earthquake. For the purposes of the post-earthquake retrofitting and strengthening, an analysis of the damaged and retrofitted structure has been carried out to justify the selected retrofitting measures that included a partial reconstruction of heavily damaged structure. The equivalent frame model based on the discretization in terms of piers and spandrels was created (SEM - Structural Elements Model) to obtain the simulation of earthquake response of structure using the 3Muri 13.9 software. In this paper the procedure and results of the analysis of seismic resistance of the strengthened structure is presented because of the successful cooperation of structural engineers, architects and conservators.

Investigating of the Reasons for the Collapse on the Entrance Arches of the Harran Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) During the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes (Mw 7.7 and Mw 7.6)

Although historical masonry structures are highly aesthetic, they harbor numerous structural uncertainties. These structures encompass information such as the date of construction, construction methods, material properties, design details and more. They possess diverse identities in various aspects, making the structural assessment of historical buildings a challenging task. Consequently, all historical buildings should be treated with special consideration, and suitable solutions must be devised. In this study, the structural damage causes of the entrance gate of the Harran Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami), which had undergone recent restoration but suffered damage once again during the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on 6 February 2023 have been investigated. A three-dimensional finite element model of the structure was developed using Abaqus software. In the numerical studies the static as well as non-linear dynamic earthquake analyses were conducted to evaluate the reasons of the collapse of the structure. The structure was subjected to earthquakes from different directions and its compatibility with actual damage scenarios was observed. The study results are presented with contour diagrams of displacement, stress and damage situations. Upon reviewing the numerical findings obtained from the study, it is evident that the actual damage condition of the structure can be reasonably simulated. As a result, it is thought that the earthquake hit the entrance arches from out of plane which caused the collapse. To sum up, by evaluating the damage conditions resulting from such numerical studies, restoration applications can be handled more effectively, ensuring that correct interventions are carried out.