Visual detection of structural problems in Elaziğ- Hüseynik (Ulukent) traditional houses and SEM-XRD analysis and evaluation of adobe material samples used in the houses

Hüseynik (Ulukent), located in the northwest of Elazığ city center, is one of the neighborhoods of the province with a deep-rooted history. Hüseynik, a village founded on the slopes of the slope where Harput, the first settlement of Elazığ, is located and is affiliated with the Harput Sanjak, became a neighborhood in the 1900s. It is observed that adobe building material is used extensively in the campus, where many historical buildings bearing the Elazığ architectural style continue to survive. The majority of the buildings built using adobe materials are traditional houses. Many deformations have occurred in houses that have been exposed to various effects for many years, resulting in structural problems. In this study, by detecting and recording the observational damages in the traditional houses in the Hüseynik (Ulukent) District, adobe samples taken from the selected buildings (buildings located in the 1656 and 1788 parcels) were examined using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy)-EDX (Energy Dispersive X-Ray). It is aimed to carry out experimental analyzes in a laboratory environment using Spectroscopy) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) methods. It is aimed to determine the necessary recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the structures by classifying the observationally detected damages in the buildings under the headings of structural problems in the horizontal and vertical load-bearing elements. One of the aims of the study is to create a reference for the original material contents determined as a result of the experimental analyzes for studies such as conservation and restoration to be applied to houses. Hüseynik (Ulukent) District was determined as the study area and the traditional houses in this area constitute the scope of the study. In this context, field work was carried out and the structures were examined and the structural problems detected were photographed and recorded. As a result of the field study, damage conditions were identified and suggestions were made for the damages. Adobe material samples were taken from different parts of two selected traditional houses in the area, without causing any damage to the structures, and analyzes were carried out on the samples by applying SEM-EDX and XRD methods in a laboratory environment. Within the scope of SEM analysis, 500, 2500 and 5000 times magnified images of the samples were obtained. As a result of the analysis, the porous structures and mineral sizes and distributions of the samples were determined. Within the scope of the EDX analysis, the presence of elements such as silicon (Si), potassium (K), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) in different proportions was found in the sample contents. Phase analyzes were performed using the XRD method and the mineralogical contents of the samples were determined. Minerals such as quartz, calcite and graphite were detected in the sample contents. Comments on the analyzes made are given in the evaluation section. Since the analyzes within the scope of the study are conducted for the first time in Hüseynik (Ulukent) District, it is thought that it will contribute to the literature and serve as a reference for future studies.