Dynamic Identification and Integrated Structural–Geotechnical Assessment of a Classical Ottoman Mosque: The Case of Sultan Selim Mosque, Konya, Türkiye
Buildings, vol.16, no.9, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 16 Issue: 9
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.3390/buildings16091730
- Journal Name: Buildings
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Avery, Compendex, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Keywords: ambient vibration testing (AVT), finite element modeling (FEM), geotechnical characterization, Ottoman architecture, seismic performance assessment, soil–structure interaction (SSI), Sultan Selim Mosque
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Ottoman mosques represent a unique synthesis of architectural elegance and structural ingenuity, where massive masonry domes are balanced on slender supports through carefully engineered load transfer systems. These monumental buildings, constructed centuries ago without modern analytical tools, continue to challenge contemporary engineers seeking to understand their behavior under seismic loading. This study presents an integrated evaluation of the structural and geotechnical performance of the 16th-century Sultan Selim Mosque in Konya, Türkiye, one of the most prominent examples of Classical Ottoman architecture. The research combines ambient vibration testing (AVT), geotechnical investigations, and finite element modeling (FEM) to assess the existing structural condition and soil–structure interaction (SSI) effects. Dynamic identification through AVT provided the modal characteristics of the mosque, which were used to calibrate a detailed three-dimensional FEM developed in ANSYS Workbench using a macro-modeling approach. The numerical analyses showed that observed deformation patterns and stress concentrations are consistent with field damage observations, indicating that differential settlements and heterogeneous subsoil stiffness are the primary factors influencing the structural response. The findings enhance understanding of the seismic behavior of monumental masonry domed structures and offer a solid basis for the evaluation and conservation of Ottoman-era architectural heritage.