Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, cilt.23, ss.1-24, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This paper comprehensively investigates the material properties, seismic behavior, and conservation practices of the Priest’s House, a 19th century stone and brick masonry structure located in Aks¸ehir, Türkiye. The research aims to accurately simulate the dynamic behavior of the building under varying material strength conditions by integrating detailed physical and mechanical characterization of stone, brick, mortar, plaster, and wood samples with macro-scale finite element modeling. These tests determined key material properties such as unit weight, density, porosity, water absorption, compressive strength, and modulus of elasticity. The experimental data obtained were used to develop a macro-scale finite element model of the structure. The building was subjected to dynamic analyses under low, medium and high material strength scenarios. Mode shapes, natural periods, displacements, and interstory drift ratios were determined, and the interstory drift ratios were checked against international seismic design codes and standards. The results showed that the structure reached the “Collapse Prevention (CP)” performance level under the low-strength scenario and the “Immediate Occupancy (IO)” level under the high-strength scenario. Restoration interventions were carefully planned and executed with respect to material compatibility and preservation of the building’s historical fabric. The techniques, materials, and application processes used were thoroughly documented. By integrating comprehensive material testing, numerical modeling and restoration practices, this study presents a robust and practical methodology for the assessment and preservation of similar historic masonry structures, making significant contributions to the fields of cultural heritage conservation and seismic risk mitigation.