Historical Structures Research Articles

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.

THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING IN PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ART WORKS VIA VIRTUAL RESTORATION

Abstract. Artifacts including paintings, drawings, prints, mosaics, sculptures, historical structures and monuments, as well as archaeological sites present a key part of our cultural heritage. It consists of Intangible culture (such as folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge), tangible culture (such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, archival materials, books, works of art, and artifacts), and natural heritage (such as biodiversity and culturally significant landscapes) .Now we will concentrate on tangible culture and its problems and how to handle them. One of its biggest problems is that over the years the nature of the materials used in the creation of the artwork make them prone to cracks, fractures, stains, and colors fading and blurring. The causes of their damage could be of natural or human- related reasons. The natural causes range from war, fires, earthquakes, natural disasters and the human-related causes range from accidental events like to pollution which results of climate changes, which like acid rain. It is a must to consider the environment in which you store your artwork. Our regular environment's light, heat, moisture, and pollution levels can lead to harmful chemical and physical reactions in artwork. There are several reasons why it is necessary to preserve ancient works of art. The fact that it enables us to comprehend the historical and cultural context of the era in which it was made is one of the key factors. Then preserving our artworks is a must and this can be done by manual techniques or using machine learning algorithms.

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

Assessing current use and visions for sacral complexes in a landscape: An example from Central Europe

Abstract A significant phenomenon of sacral complexes in a landscape is their cultural heritage dimension. They are part of historical landscape structures, representing a type of cultural landscape. In addition, they are often perceived as important landscape landmarks and symbols. In Slovakia (Central Europe), most such complexes are abandoned and deteriorated. In this context presented paper deals with the assessment and possible future human use of Calvary in Hliník nad Hronom (Slovakia) in order to preserve it for future generations. A central aspect of our research work presented in this contribution is to elaborate a sustainable and feasible concept for the Calvary following the integrated approach of its revitalization. Firstly, we analyzed Calvary´s historical and regional setting with the help of a thorough review of literature, historical maps, and pictures. Then we evaluated architectural, landscape, and vegetation values, as well as landscape structure changes using relevant methodologies. Based on this evaluation, much fieldwork, and social survey we were able to identify the current problems of the place connected with abandonment and use, evaluated values, socio-economic factors, and preservation policies. Subsequently, we prepared a future concept for the Calvary following the selected criteria and distinguishing features and looking at the Calvary as a result of collective work. Finally, recommendations were formulated for legal framework and spatial planning procedures in order to enforce better preservation of values of sacral complexes in the country.

Structural Analysis of Historical Cantilevered Stone Staircases

Abstract This paper studies the behaviour of historical cantilevered stone staircases. In Transylvania these types of stairs are found mainly in buildings classified as historical monuments built until the 1920s. Understanding the behaviour of historical staircases is essential when proposing consolidation or restoration interventions in buildings. In this work, structural analyses on simple models of staircases made of stone elements are proposed in order to investigate the stiffness of the assembly, the stresses that appear in the elements, deformations, the influence of the railings in the overall behaviour and the simulation of the breaking of a single individual step. The types of staircases investigated in this paper are existing historical structures that currently are no longer built from scratch, so the purpose of the calculation is not to dimension but to verify the existing structure.

Optimisation of the Parameters of a Vibration Damper Installed on a Historic Bridge

Abstract The paper presents theoretical analyses of renovating a historical bridge in order to decrease stresses. The installation of additional equipment, including a vibration absorber, is relatively easy to perform if such a need is indicated by the current bridge diagnostics or the monitoring of the structure’s vibrations. Moreover, absorbers could be mounted in such a way as not to alter the appearance of the historic structure. The authors focused on the problem of optimising the cooperation between a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) and a structure under dynamic load moving with constant velocity. A simple degree of freedom (SDOF) system – as a model of the absorber and a multi-degree of freedom (MDOF) system – as the primary structure, were adopted in the calculations. Every force is regarded as a random variable, as well as interarrivals of moving forces. Two different situations and solutions were presented. The first case is when the stream of moving forces with a constant velocity is modelled as the filtered Poisson process. The second one when one of the forces is located in the point of the beam in which the response of the beam has the maximum value.

Static behaviour of the selected carpentry joints in the flexural elements

The paper presents the static behaviour of the selected carpentry joints in the bending wooden elements. Experimental research on beams with the carpentry joints created according to the geometry of the historical joints was conducted. It was confirmed that some of the longitudinal joints applied in the historical structures, with the proper strengthening elements, could transfer some bending moments, which is important in the flexural elements. The load-carrying capacity of the joined beams was determined and compared to the load-carrying capacity of the reference continuous beams, which was from 30 % to 40 %, depending on the joint geometry. Moreover, the stiffness level of the joined beams was determined and compared to the stiffness of the reference continuous beams, which was from 35 % to over 60 %, also depending on the joint geometry. The force-deflection plots for the tested beams were presented. The failure patterns for the joints were described and based on them the areas of stress concentrations in the joints were identified. The joints worked asymmetrically and their failure occurred as a result of gradual loosening and then cracking – interruption of the continuity of the wood fibres. The role of the applied fasteners, which to some extent protect against loosening of the joints, and partially transfer the applied load, was confirmed. The obtained results were compared to the results from the literature regarding similar connections. Research results can be helpful in designing and performing repair and conservation work in historic wooden structures with carpentry joints, in the event of, for example, the need to recreate a historical joint or replenish part of the substance in an existing joint.

Historic timber roof structure vulnerability assessment procedures – Critical analysis and comparison

Historic timber roof structures in Europe are examples of some of the continent's most intricate and ingenious structural solutions. They were built in close connection with their context and the heritage building to which they belonged. In addition, they were built according to the knowledge of the craftsmen.Considering the value of historical construction techniques, in recent years, many researchers have attempted to develop complex methods that could be used to accurately evaluate them and determine both their value and vulnerability to ultimately develop suitable intervention solutions. However, existing historic roof structure assessment methodologies mainly analyse their structural aspects and state of conservation. Considering this, in recent years, a new assessment procedure was developed based on desk and on-site surveys. It approaches historic timber roof structures in a multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary manner, highlighting their complexity while bringing forward more information about their historical and cultural value.Therefore, to bring forward the originality of the procedure, a series of roof structures from Timisoara, Romania, were evaluated using the developed procedure and their value and vulnerability identified. The results were subsequently compared with those obtained using two other score-based procedures, which approach roof structures mainly based on their structural characteristics and state of conservation.The paper shows that despite the apparent differences between the considered procedures, from assessed features to the interpretation of the results, the outcomes are pretty similar and that each one of them can be used depending on the primary purpose of the assessment.

Multi-dimensional Gender Perspective in Historical Narrative Structure of A. S. Byatt’s Possession: A Romance

This study explores gender issues in the historical narrative structure of A. S. Byatt’s novel Possession: A Romance (1990) by critically examining women’s exclusion from society, men’s identity crisis in gender environments, and the separation and union between two sexes in the novel. To reveal these complicated gender issues, Byatt combines history with narrative, which accords well with Hayden White’s historical narrative that fictive history can unveil historical truth. Additionally, Byatt’s three levels of historical narratives echo Giambattista Vico’s cycle of history to reveal the recurring gender issues in human history. In this respect, this study investigates how Byatt uses historical narratives to examine gender dilemmas of men and women to explore how characters free themselves from their gendered travails. In conclusion, Byatt employs historical narratives to reveal the recurring gender dilemmas and gender opposition in the history of human development. Meanwhile, Byatt is seeking a new type of gender relations in the cycle of human history as well—it is androgyny that liberates men and women from the limitation of defined gender roles and dissolves gendered conflicts to realize the union between body and soul in men and women.

Suomalaisen koulutuspolitiikan tasa-arvopyrkimykset: heijastumia ja katvealueita kielikoulutuksessa

In this article, we examine Finnish language education in relation to the historical developments of promoting equality in Finnish education policy. We focus on language education in basic education and discuss this topic through the lens of three cases: the comprehensive school reform, projects to develop language education, and heritage language teaching. Although, in international comparison, the Finnish educational system has good outcomes for certain equality measures (e.g., small differences in student achievement between schools), many aspects of equality have been overlooked. In addition, success in PISA and achieving European goals of mother tongue plus two languages may have caused a certain level of complacency or reluctance to develop the educational system. When striving for justice and equality in language education, it is important to understand the historical and societal structures that have maintained and reproduced inequality up to today.

Advancing Cultural Heritage Structures Conservation: Integrating BIM and Cloud-Based Solutions for Enhanced Management and Visualization

Preserving and managing historical cultural heritage necessitates innovative approaches that harmonize technology with historical documentation. This paper presents a case study showcasing an adaptable online database tailored for the incorporation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) models and associated historical records. Notably, this approach offers distinctive integration with historical data, enabling users to contextualize heritage assets historically. The study delves into the database’s capabilities, focusing on its role in cultural heritage structure management. It explores interactive exploration, semantic querying, and attachment features, highlighting BIM’s potential in digital conservation, documentation, and archival efforts for historical structures. Additionally, the paper underscores the database’s significance as a valuable tool for education, research, and collaboration among heritage professionals and the public. While addressing specific modeling challenges, it emphasizes the importance of enhancing software solutions to elevate historical asset management. Historical BIM emerges as a powerful resource bridging the gap between historical structures’ conservation and modern technology.

The historic Lake Biwa Canal as a permanent catalyst for the development of Kyoto’s landscape architecture

The historic Lake Biwa Canal, an artificial waterway that supplies water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto, was built to revitalise Kyoto after the capital was moved to Tokyo in 1868. Apart from its main function, the canal plays a significant role in organising the cultural landscape of the surrounding areas. This study raised topical issues of sustainable development, preservation, and revitalisation of historic engineering structures. The artificial waterway was considered in terms of its pulling effects on the surrounding environment, both urban and landscape. The purpose of this study was to find the characteristics of the landscape-organising role of the Biwa Canal and its transformation over time, specifically with adaptation to the relevant problems of modern time. The study was conducted mainly using in situ field research methods. As a result, the key role of the canal as a constant catalyst for the development of Kyoto’s landscape architecture was outlined, which has changed substantially over time, but has not weakened and has always been innovative, organically combining modern industrial achievements with local traditions. In the first period of its existence (until 1951), the focus of landscape organising activities in the areas adjacent to the canal was on the creation of private and temple gardens, but from the second period of its existence (1951-early 1990s), the focus of landscape activities around the canal shifted to public recreational and park aspects. During the third period (since the early 1990s), when the canal was recognised as a National Historic Site, trends in the development of industrial and landscape tourism were also observed. The experience of preserving, revitalising, promoting, and adapting the landscape role of the Biwa Canal to the new needs of the present can be used as an example of the direction of similar activities for historic waterways in the world

The New Mission of Abandoned Architectural Heritage

The construction of pit cave dwellings is a longstanding custom in China. However, as living standards have increased, this distinctive style of building is being gradually forgotten. Sanmenxia, Henan Province is known for its unique clay, which has contributed to the advancement of construction and architectural design. The region's unique climate, which is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, has also made people more nostalgic, which has led to a boom in the tourism industry. It's urgent to figure out how to revitalize and change the historic structures that will soon decay and vanish into something new in order to stay relevant.This essay explores the distinctive architectural style of China's pit cave dwellings, capturing its essence and adapting it to modern demands. It also serves to highlight the disappearing ancient architectural and cultural form while revitalizing the abandoned kiln and bringing it back to life. Enhancing the recreational area for the locals and drawing attention to the region's distinctive culture, the abandoned kiln will be transformed into a tourist destination with cultural activities.

A Digital Approach to Revisiting the Byzantine Past of Al-Madrassa Al-Halawiyya in Aleppo

The architectural complex of the al-Madrasa al-Halawiyya in Aleppo, Syria, remains one of the most remarkable monuments in the centuries-old city. First founded as the Church of St. Helen in the 6th century to serve as the Cathedral of Byzantine Aleppo, the structure preserves evidence of a complicated building history. For example, the Cathedral was converted into a mosque in 1124; later, parts of the church were integrated into a Madrassa. More recently, damage to the structure due to the war revealed information about Byzantine building methods. This research revisits the building history of the monument by relying on a parametric, Building Information Modelling (BIM) representation to compare the surviving structure with earlier reconstructions. This article addresses the following: (1) A survey of the building's history, topography, and architecture: Over the centuries, al-Madrasa al-Halawiyya has attracted Medieval monks, travellers, brigands, scholars, and more. Their accounts offer exciting opportunities to contextualise structural and functional changes to the complex. (2) An analysis of the historical structure, especially from the Byzantine period: The presented three-dimensional (3D) documentation of the site focused on historical transformations, which the authors then traced and compared by means of BIM to reconstructions proposed by Samuel Guyer (1911) and Michel Écochard (1950). This research demonstrates how a hybrid methodology can be used to establish building phases for comparison with historical and scholarly accounts, revealing new knowledge about building techniques and processes. The presented work started with a field survey of the monument, which was used to generate a hybrid 3D point cloud. Using the point cloud, the Byzantine church was virtually reconstructed and several construction phases were identified. At the same time, Heritage-BIM models were created based on the work of Guyer and Écochard. Finally, the Guyer and Écochard models were compared with the proposed Byzantine reconstruction and point cloud.

Heritage hotels: An exploration of staff experiences in these unique hospitality environments

Heritage hotels play a significant role in the hotel sector, preserving cultural heritage and delivering authentic and unique guest experiences and economic value to destinations. As such, they are an important but under-researched hotel operation. They range in size and star rating and can be boutique and/or upscale luxury hotels, independently owned and operated or managed by one of the large international hotel chains. There are three types of heritage hotels: original, simulated, and converted. The first are hotels whose purpose has remained unchanged since their inception and, despite modernization, retain their originality. The second are simulated heritage hotels, which are associated with symbolic heritage elements. The third are historic structures (castles, cathedrals, palaces, etc.) that have been repurposed and converted into hotels, imbuing them with new symbolic and economic meanings. This research note investigates the third type of heritage hotels. These are buildings rich in history, a sense of place and hold cultural meanings for their localities and communities. The note employs an exploratory, qualitative research strategy and reports data from semi-structured in-depth interviews with 16 customer-facing employees and managers in three independently owned and operated United Kingdom (UK) rural boutique heritage hotels. This qualitative approach provided an opportunity to attain depth in revealing the participants’ service experiences and encounters. The research note advances extant scholarship, which has examined employee interactions in small heritage accommodations as emotional and individualised guest experiences. It suggests that historic sites repurposed as heritage hotels have distinctive qualities, setting them apart from other hotels as hospitality environments. As such, their staff regard themselves as stewards and storytellers of local culture as much as receptionists, servers, etc. It concludes by advancing possibilities for further research on this conceptualization of heritage hotel employees.

Durability of unstabilized rammed earth in temperate climates: A long term study

This paper describes a 16-year study on the weathering behavior of unstabilized rammed earth constructed in the temperate climate of the Northeastern United States with an average annual precipitation of 1,174 mm. A freestanding experimental rammed earth wall utilizing natural clay binders was constructed on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2005 to evaluate its durability over time. The research documents the erosion of the 450 mm thick wall and identifies the environmental factors responsible for the observed deterioration. While erosion levels are highly dependent on localized environmental factors, results show that regions of the test wall with high levels of environmental exposure have an erosion rate of 3.5 mm/year, regions with medium exposure have an erosion rate of 1.5 mm/year, and regions with low exposure have an erosion rate of 0.5 mm/year. The estimated lifespan of the freestanding unstabilized rammed earth wall with minimal protection from natural climatic conditions in a temperate climate is between 37 and 75 years before repairs are required to preserve structural integrity. This lifespan is comparable to the typical service life of structures in North America built with more carbon-intensive materials such as concrete. The results presented, which are specific to the minimally protected test wall, can be considered conservative. Historic structures provide ample evidence that when adequately protected, unstabilized rammed earth can last nearly indefinitely, suggesting that this low impact material could be used to replace more carbon intensive construction materials with significant environmental benefits.

Structural form for inherent seismic safety: Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad, India

Seismic safety evaluation and performance assessment of existing structures provides an avenue to explore the value of the uniqueness of the structural design of many distinctive historic monuments, which thereby becomes a critical aspect of structural engineering research. Many historic structures have good seismic performance intrinsically incorporated through a careful choice of structural form, orientation of principal load-carrying elements and robustness of their structural design. The Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium situated in the city of Ahmedabad is a uniquely designed iconic structure of twentieth-century India. Designed by the architect Charles Correa and structural engineer Mahendra Raj, this historic structure is the first stadium in India to have a cantilevered roof structure. The stadium has been included in the ‘2020 World Monuments Watch’, which includes structures that have significant historical significance and contemporary social impact. Accordingly, the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) has included this structure among 13 significant twentieth-century buildings that receive the ‘Keeping It Modern’ grants as part of the Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative by GCI. This work looks at presenting a structural appraisal of this iconic stadium and performing a seismic assessment of the structure to explore the fundamental load paths and investigate their adequacy in ensuring seismic safety.

Stability of the ‘Tensyudai’ of a Japanese castle under a long-term load

‘Tensyudai’ is the term used for the truncated masonry base that supports the main tower (Tensyukaku) of a Japanese castle. In response to concerns regarding the structural integrity and conservation of Tensyudai masonry walls, this study seeks to investigate the mechanism of their collapse and load capacity. A reduced-scale model of Tensyudai, based on Osaka Castle, was constructed and subjected to a vertical load test to evaluate its three-dimensional mechanical properties. This paper postulates a collapse mechanism, and the equilibrium of forces for the Sumiishi and Hiraishi sections of the Tensyudai is analysed, considering the arch effect. Experimental results are compared, using a series of equations to calculate the collapse burden (q c). Additionally, the safety factor is determined, based on the active earth pressures at various masses. The findings indicate that the safety factor of a standard Tensyukaku weight is approximately 25, which rises with increased Tensyukaku weight. Moreover, this study contributes to future research and preservation efforts for historical structures, by shedding light on the structural stability and safety of Tensyudai masonry walls. It can also provide basic data for considering the protection of other masonry wall structures from earthquakes.

KEPASTIAN HUKUM TERHADAP ORANG ASING YANG DIKENAI TINDAKAN ADMINISTRATIF KEIMIGRASIAN BERDASARKAN PASAL 75 AYAT (1) UNDANG-UNDANG NOMOR 6 TAHUN 2011 TENTANG KEIMIGRASIAN

Immigration becomes part of the embodiment in implementing the upholding sovereignty over Indonesian Territory with its duty to maintain order in the life of the nation and state towards prosperous society based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution of the Indonesian Republic. Legal development must receive top priority in order to reduce the occurrence of violations and crimes, especially foreigners who are in the territory of Indonesia. Based on this fact, the formulation of the problem in this thesis is how to regulate and legal certainty for foreigners in the territory of the Indonesian Republic who violate Article 75 paragraph (1) of Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration.
 The research method used was a normative research method by studying written law from various sources contained in historical theory, philosophy, comparison, structure, composition, scope and subject, articles explanations, formality and the strength of a binding law. This study used a statutory approach, a conceptual approach and a case approach. The data that has been obtained from the results of this study were compiled and analysed qualitatively, then the data was described descriptively
 The results of this study indicate that the legal certainty for foreigners who are subject to Immigration Administrative Actions based on Article 75 paragraph (1) of Law number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration refers to the application of clear, permanent, consistent and consequential laws whose implementation cannot be influenced by subjective state of circumstances. The form of immigration administrative action imposed is in accordance to Article 75 paragraph (2) of Law number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration.

Effective Building Surveying Using Laser Scanning for Heritage Building Documentation

In conservation works, a thorough pathology survey is required to identify building defects. Early detection of defects can prevent the increase in cost during conservation works. Conventionally, common defects that occur in heritage buildings can be observed and recorded during a walk-by inspection; however, the process is often time consuming. Furthermore, all recorded defects require a precise but conventional data collection to identify, test, and observe the level of defects. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of manual walk-in building condition assessment with the point cloud data analysis that utilises theLight Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. A building condition assessment was conducted involving theIpoh Town Halland Post Office, Galeri Kraftangan Seremban,and Bangunan Dato’Jaafarin Johor Bahru using both conventional walk-in survey and thelaser scanning process. Thisstudy concludes that combining digital tools with the traditional methods promotes a more accurate and effective assessment for heritage building assessment, which iscrucial forensuring the sustainability of historic structures. Additionally, 3D point cloud dataallows the exploration ofbuilding deterioration from a wider perspective.