INVESTIGATIONS ON THE EARTHQUAKE BEHAVIOUR OF HAGIA SOPHIA

Abstract eng:
Hagia Sophia is one of the most prominent architectural and structural creations in the history of mankind. Built in the 6th century, it has a remarkable size and structural configuration. Over its 1500 year long history Hagia Sophia experienced many earthquakes, as a result of which several of its structural elements were damaged and its main dome partially collapsed three times along with the adjacent parts of the main arches and semi domes. Its existence in a part of the world marked with very high earthquake hazard levels will ever be tested by seismic activity. This contribution aims at presenting an overall picture of the research efforts carried out so far on earthquake response analysis of Hagia Sophia, emphasizing the studies over the last five years. Early efforts involved linear and nonlinear structural analyses; literary investigations; nondestructive tests and investigations involving its construction materials, foundations, main structural elements; ambient vibration tests; monitoring its earthquake response with the help of an accelerometric network. More recently the foci of efforts were the analysis of long term dynamic response of Hagia Sophia to earthquakes and variations in atmospheric conditions, shake table testing of a scaled model of the structure, analysis of recently added tilt-meter recordings, evaluation of strengthening alternatives and monitoring of its static deformations via laser technology.

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