Investigation of construction system of vernacular timber structures: Safranbolu case

Vernacular construction systems that are used extensively in Anatolia for centuries were neglected with the development of modern construction systems. Vernacular timber structures constructed without any engineering assistance and connection to any regulation, built entirely with local materials, demonstrate knowledge and experience of craftsmen who built these structures about use of materials, earthquake and soil characteristics. Revealing the heritage of this mastership, that is almost forgotten for this knowledge was not transferred in written sources, will both enlighten the structure history and be a source of inspiration for modern construction systems. The studies for this thesis consist of two stages. In first stage, construction material properties of timber, assembly of vernacular timber construction and damages of timber structures are explored in detail by literature research. In the second stage, by using timber structure documentation forms developed during the thesis work, construction systems of vernacular structures are examined in a chosen sampling area and evaluated the derived datas.