Determination of structural safety of a historical structure using experimental modal analysis

In this study, seismic performance of the minaret of Rahmanlar Cami build in 1894 and located in Tire, Izmir, is studied experimentally and analytically. Nowadays, to protect and transfer safely our historical heritages to future become important and widely studied subject. There are many historical and architecturally valuable structures in our country. It is important to determine structural safety parameters and ensure survival of the historical structures in future. The historical structures are considered masonry structures built by using stone, marble, and bricks. The base of the minaret that subject of this study, was built by stone, the body is built by bricks. The strength of the each material is studied and applied to the structural analysis separately and a model is created. The model is analyzed by a computer packet program using finite element analysis, the natural frequency and mode shapes of the minaret are determined. The dynamic parameters of minaret and mechanical properties of materials are improved by assessing the behavior of minaret by using operational modal analysis. The model of minaret is analyzed using possible earthquake acceleration and behavior of the minaret is determined according to allowable stresses of material used.