Evaluation of masonry buildings and mosques after Sivrice earthquake

Abstract

The evaluation of masonry and mosque type structures after the Sivrice Earthquake is presented in this study. Stone masonry buildings exhibited damage such as vertical cracks and splitting at corners, wedge shaped corner failures, diagonal cracking on walls, out-of-plane splitting of walls, and separation of walls from flooring/roofing systems. On the other hand, the separation of flags and caps of minarets was a common example of damage in mosques. Future earthquake damage can be prevented by following design codes and providing adequate supervision for new structures, while strengthening measures are recommended for the existing buildings.