Ancient Measures Taken for Disaster Mitigation

Abstract eng:
Vulnerability of ancient masonry structures to dynamic actions in seismic areas, are mostly due to the ageing, environmental factors and lack of knowledge in the interpretation of the building construction methods and details during intervention. The study of building construction method and structural details has a great importance in the mechanical and dynamic behavior of a building. Selection of appropriate preservation methods and materials for correct interventions and achieving preservation in a building’s historical and cultural context, and diagnostic studies for understanding the causes and mechanism of decay are an indispensable scientific and technical basis. Such diagnostic studies have to be based on historical information, construction methods of the time, environmental monitoring and evaluation of the present level of safety. Earthquake was always one of the most threatening actions to buildings in Anatolia, the far west peninsula of Asia. In order to make buildings safe, there exist several ancient construction code texts. In order to make buildings safe, it is suggested that the building has to maximise the energy absorption capacity of structure and minimise seismic action. To maximize energy absorption capacity of the structure, the structure has to have capacity to dissipate energy and be redundant. To minimise seismic action, building has to be light, minimise amplification of ground acceleration and avoid actions that that will cause the instability of the structural elements. Ancient building masters, using techniques developed by previous cultures, their own trial and error, and techniques transferred from one generation to another, sized the structural elements and designed their buildings taking proper account of environmental actions. The main objective of this paper is to point out the importance of acknowledging the design skills of master builders during diagnosis of the failures in historic buildings. This paper will discuss risk sources and passive protection measures taken against disasters. The main sources causing disaster were fires for timber, and earthquakes for masonry structure. Moisture in buildings caused loss of material and weakened the structure in the long term. Today, many traditional constructions with a variety of materials and techniques in Turkey suffer from continuous changes and repair of past works, abandaned during their lifetime and interventions ignoring the engineering skills of the master builders. This study consists of the construction methods and structural details of master builders from various civilizations lived in Anatolia. It is based on reviewing the archaeological and history of architecture publications, discussions with archaeologists and experiences during diagnosis phase of restoration works. Lessons taken from these measures may enlighten the measures to be taken for today’s risk mitigation.

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