ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines some of critical parameters based on comparative analyses related to damage and collapse mechanisms of minarets. Masonry structures constitute a large portion of existing monuments in Turkey. Two parameters were used for evaluating the results: the maximum relative dislocation of adjacent drums and the maximum displacement at the top of the minaret. Both parameters were normalized by the drum diameter. The effects of minaret geometry on seismic behaviour were evaluated by comparing the results of analyses. Minarets of Mihrimah Sultan and Suleymaniye Mosques and the minaret of St. Sophia which are located in istanbul are studied in the inelastic range under sine waves using 3D analytical models created in 3DEC. For the Mihrimah and Suleymaniye minarets results show that they experience large drum dislocations at high frequencies. The behaviour of the minaret of Hagia Sophia is relatively unclear and more comprehensive analyses including lower and higher frequencies seem to be necessary.
