Forms and Vertical and Lateral Load Capacities of Columns in Mimar Sinan’s Mosques

Abstract

Along with the walls, columns are the main load-bearing elements in carrying vertical and horizontal loads in most historic masonry buildings. When the mosques of Mimar Sinan, the great Ottoman architect, are examined, it is seen that there is a wide variety in column forms. In this study, the column forms in Sinan's a few mosques were investigated, their geometric dimensions were measured, and the vertical and lateral load carrying capacities of them were determined. The columns examined are the columns of Sinan Pasha, Kılıç Ali Pasha, Üsküdar Mihrimah Sultan, Selimiye, Şehzade and Süleymaniye mosques. Initially, the vertical capacities of the columns were calculated with both the classical stress equation and the Abaqus program, and very close results were obtained with the two calculation methods. Then, lateral load carrying capacities were calculated only by using of the Abaqus software. It has been once again seen and emphasized that height is also important, together with other relevant factors, on the lateral load capacities of the columns.