Seismic vulnerability and preservation of historical masonry monumental structures

Seismic damage and vulnerability of five historical masonry structures surveyed after the 1999 Kocaeli and Duzce, Turkey earthquakes are discussed in this paper. The structures are located in two neighboring cities that have been struck by five very large () earthquakes during the century alone. Older masonry mosques with arches and domes and their masonry minarets (slender towers) were among the most affected structures in this highly seismic region. While some of the religious and historical structures had virtually no damage, most structures suffered significant damage or collapsed. In the city of Bolu, for example, approximately 600-year-old Imaret, 500-year-old Kadi, 250-year-old Sarachane, and 100-year-old Yildirim Bayezid mosques suffered substantial structural damage after the 1999 earthquakes. Another historical mosque surveyed in Duzce partially collapsed. Most common factors contributing to deterioration of historical structures are also presented. Furthermore, a brief overview of issues associated with analysis and modeling of historical masonry structures is provided.