Study of the Behavior of Masonry Historical Monuments under the Influence of Seismic Loads

Abstract

The main criterion for the progress and advancement of any civilization is the monuments and other urban features that are considered the glories of that civilization. The Levant region is considered one of the oldest regions rich in civilizations, which are characterized by various architectural arts. This research aims to study the behavior of some monuments in Damascus, and it is an attempt to explain the observed behavior of these monuments under the influence of earthquakes. Then we give some indications of the possible consolidation of the facility, given that our Arab countries in general and Syria in particular abound with such buildings, and we will discuss in this research one of these buildings, which is still standing, the Shamia-Mosque in Damascus. The research includes an experimental study for mortar and an analytical study where computer modeling of those monuments used in order to identify potential weaknesses in the studied structure because of its exposure to seismic loads by the finite element method. Laboratory experiments on selected samples similar to those used in the old structures studied in order to obtain a more realistic assessment of the mechanical and engineering properties of building materials used in archaeological monuments, and what this reflects on the actual structural behavior and the development of scientific analysis for the causes of weakness, ancient collapses and clarification of some methods for addressing vulnerabilities.

Keywords

• historical properties of building materials
• seismic loads
• the shamia school