Nonlinear Seismic Assessment of Historical Masonry Karaz Bridge Under Different Ground Motion Records

Abstract

The most significant artifacts that transfer the cultural heritage of past civilizations to the present are historical structures. Historical bridges are of great importance in terms of transportation, trade and architecture from past to present. Some of these structures have been destroyed by natural disasters or have suffered significant structural damage. Especially earthquakes cause damage to these structures. In this study, the earthquake behavior of the Historical Karaz Bridge was investigated. The structural elements of the bridge and the materials connecting the bearing elements were evaluated together with the macro modeling approach. For this purpose, a 3D finite element model of the bridge was generated and its seismic behavior under different ground motion records was investigated by nonlinear analysis. Analyzes were carried out using the ground motion records of Bingöl, Elazığ, Erzincan, Van and Gölcük, and the results were evaluated mutually. In the analysis results, the dynamic behavior of the bridge was evaluated over the distribution of displacements and stresses and the earthquake behavior was investigated.