Seismic behavior of historical Erzurum three Cupolas under strong ground motions

• Published in: Sadhana (Bangalore) Vol. 50; no. 2
• Main Authors: Nebioğlu, Osman Özhan, Kocaman, Irfan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Springer India 14.03.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Collapse; Cultural heritage; Cultural resources; Cupolas; Damage patterns; Domes (structural forms); Dynamic loads; Earthquake damage; Earthquake resistance; Elastic analysis; Engineering; Finite element method; Load bearing elements; Masonry; Modal analysis; Modulus of elasticity; Nonlinear analysis; Nonlinear dynamics; Nonlinear response; Seismic activity; Seismic hazard; Seismic response; Three dimensional analysis; finite element modeling; architectural heritage; Damage mechanism; dynamic analyses; Erzurum cupolas
• ISSN: 0973-7677; 0256-2499; 0973-7677
• DOI: 10.1007/s12046-025-02704-2

Preserving historical masonry buildings against seismic events necessitates a profound comprehension of their nonlinear responses, encompassing force-displacement characteristics, damage patterns, and collapse modalities. Within this domain, employing nonlinear analysis within three-dimensional finite element models has emerged as a prevalent and dependable methodology. This dissertation undertakes the task of elucidating the seismic performance of the esteemed Three Cupolas in Erzurum, designated as cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye. These cupolas, erected between the 12th and 14th centuries, stand as venerable sepulchers for notable personalities of that era. While extensive investigations have scrutinized the largest and most renowned cupola, namely the Emir Saltuk Cupola, utilizing advanced numerical simulation techniques, the remaining two cupolas, namely Anonymous-I and Anonymous-II, have not been subject to such analyses. Furthermore, there exists a dearth of inquiry into the propagation of damage and collapse mechanisms inherent in these cupolas. Elaborate finite element models were devised, meticulously aligning with the architectural specifics of the cupolas. These models underwent calibration utilizing experimental modal analysis data gleaned from the literature. According to the results of the modal analyses, the elastic modulus in historical masonry cupolas have been determined as 600-850 MPa for the walls, 500 MPa for the dome, and 1250-1500 MPa for the foundation. Nonlinear dynamic analyses were executed employing seismic records from the Erzincan (Mw 6.8), Kobe (Mw 7.2), and Kahramanmaraş (Mw 7.4) earthquakes, thereby unraveling the seismic response and collapse mechanisms of all three cupolas. The dynamic analyses have shown that in historical masonry cupolas, the dome, the dome pulley, and the load-bearing walls collectively exhibit significant seismic vulnerability. Anticipated damage mechanisms and force-displacement profiles for each cupola were discerned. In the three cupolas examined, a relationship between the structural dimensions and the expected damage under dynamic loads has been established. It is envisaged that this research will inaugurate endeavors towards fortifying and enhancing the seismic resilience of the myriad historical cupolas strewn across the Turkish-Islamic domain.