Structural performance of timber hypostyle mosques: The case of Kastamonu

Historical structures and their cultural sustainability are significant for Turkey as an earthquake country. Reinforcements against earthquakes are made on the structurally sensitive points with new-generation simulation techniques for transferring them to future generations. In this context, timber hypostyle mosques, which have an important place among historical buildings, were examined in this study. Kastamonu, which has many timber hypostyle mosques and is located in the earthquake prone areas, was selected as the field study. 11 timber hypostyle mosques were identified in the region, their measurements were taken and their drawings were made and their current status was documented. Among these mosques, two mosques closest to the fault line, Kasaba Köy Candaroğlu Mahmut Bey Mosque and Hanönü Yukarı Küreçayı Mosque, were selected and structural analyzes were made to determine their earthquake behavior. Finite element analysis method is one of the most suitable methods to examine the structural behavior of historical buildings. The 3D finite element analysis of the mosques provides a general overview of the structural performances of both mosques. In order to maintain well structural performance of timber hypostyle mosques in Anatolia, efforts should be made to preserve the material properties and connection details of especially wooden building elements and should be well protected.