Seismic Performance Assessment and Retrofitting Recommendations for a Historic Masonry Building: The Case of Amasya Çilehane Complex

Abstract

Cultural continuity can be ensured by protecting and strengthening historical buildings, part of the world's cultural heritage. Protection of these buildings from damage caused by destructive earthquakes can only be achieved by accurately predicting their structural behavior. Amasya Çilehane Complex, the focus of this study, has a unique place among the historical buildings, which are an essential component of the cultural heritage of the civilizations that have left their mark on history. This study evaluates the complex's seismic performance, consisting of a mosque, a special worship space (in Turkish tevhidhane), a tomb, a sheik’s room, and ordeal rooms. For this purpose, non-linear static, modal, and non-linear time history analyses were performed. The time history analysis reveals that the structure's lateral load capacity corresponds to 30% of its total weight. Considering the elastic design spectrum curve of the structure, it is seen that the structure can be subjected to an acceleration above 1.2g for the design earthquake with a 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years. Non-linear time history analyses showed that the structure would suffer severe damage and could wholly or partially collapse. This study also presents effective retrofitting methods for historic masonry structures, highlighting the necessity of retrofitting the Amasya Çilehane Complex using appropriate methods found in the literature.