An evaluation of the seismic performance of a traditional timber building in Istanbul, based on the material deterioration, with the finite elements method

Abstract

This paper endeavors to identify the structural characteristics that render traditional timber buildings in Istanbul earthquake-resistant even if they are in a deteriorated state. A traditional timber building of approximately 110 years old located in the Historical Peninsula was selected as a subject for the finite elements model. According to the structural material analysis and the condition of the elements of the load-bearing system, three modelling criteria were chosen to classify the strength capacity of the building. These are: an undamaged (new) building, a 110 year-old building with material defects, and a building with structural decay and broken node points. Seismic data from the 1999 Adapazari and Duzce earthquakes were used for the modeling. The relative floor displacement of the systems were investigated and the results were evaluated by comparing the cross-sectional load-bearing capacities.