Monitoring and evaluation of structural behavior of minarets depending on environmental effects such as temperature and humidity

In this thesis, the changes in the dynamic behavior of minarets under environmental effects were investigated. The natural frequencies of the masonry and reinforced concrete minarets which are selected as an example were monitored by the Ambient Vibration Test method and the relationship between natural frequencies and environmental effects (temperature and humidity) was tried to be determined. There are four main sections within the scope of the presented study. In the first chapter, the previous studies on the subject, the theoretical information and formulations of the analytical and experimental methods which are used in thesis are given. In the second part, the examined minarets are introduced in detail and applications such as Ambient Vibration Test, model calibration, earthquake and wind analysis are explained. Analyzes under the influence of wind were made separately according to TS 498 and TS EN 1991-1-4 standards and compared. In the third chapter, the obtained natural frequencies, their relationship with temperature and humidity, the effects of the model calibration which are examined depending on the displacements and stresses obtained from the earthquake and wind analysis, the variation of the structural parameters depending on the environmental conditions are presented. In the fourth chapter, there are some suggestions made in the light of the observed and obtained results. From the study, it was concluded that changes occur in the structural behavior of minarets under environmental effects such as temperature and humidity, this should be considered in the evaluation of the minarets' condition and that the relationships between these changes and variables can be revealed with longterm structural monitoring.