OBSERVED SEISMIC DAMAGE TO HISTORICAL STRUCTURES WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE MARMARA REGION OF TURKEY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STRUCTURES

Abstract

One of the most significant issues for protection and restoration of historical masonry structures is recognizing all the characteristics of their structures. Being aware of all their material properties and original geometry before interfering in a traditional structure will enable preservation of the original features of the building with minimum interference. Moreover, damage and interventions which have affected the structure since it was built must be identified. Determining damage to a building enables decisions to be made about the intervention, repair and strengthening required for the structure. In addition, determination of damage to these kinds of historical buildings by earthquakes will provide fundamental information about the conservation of such historical buildings. In this paper some of the historical buildings which are located in the Marmara Region of Turkey are discussed and the damage after earthquakes is examined. Furthermore, regional damage caused by past earthquakes is studied. As a result, a relationship is established between the amount of regional damage and the amount of damage in the historical buildings.