Finite element analysis of the soil and foundations of the Al-Kufa Mosque

Abstract

The Great Mosque of Kufa, built in 639 CE and located in Al-Kufa, Iraq, is considered one of the most important mosques in the Islamic world. Because cracks appeared in the historical walls of the Al-Kufa Mosque during the construction of the Muslim Bin Aqeel Underpass, the values and locations of bending moment and shear force may be useful for wall maintenance. So, this study aims to determine the maximum and minimum values and locations of settlement, bending moment, and shear forces under the mosque walls’ foundations. Historical references are used to know the previous architectures of the mosque. Also, archaeological investigation reports are adopted to find out the characteristics of the foundations like their dimensions, depths, and materials. Soil investigation reports are used to know the soil layer’s properties and parameters. For non-mentioned soil parameters in soil investigation reports, they are determined depending on the theoretical equations, charts, statistical correlations, and models. A model of soil layers, foundations, and walls is conducted and analyzed using finite element software to determine the deformations of soil layers under the mosque’s brick foundations and walls. According to the analysis, maximum bending moment and shear force were found under the minaret near the Al-Thuaban gate.