Damage mechanisms in St. Bartholomeus Church under gravity, snow, and seismic loads

Türkiye is home to numerous historical masonry structures that reflect its rich cultural heritage. Understanding the structural behavior of such buildings under various loading conditions is crucial for identifying damage mechanisms and supporting effective conservation strategies. While previous studies have primarily focused on the effects of earthquakes, the impact of continuous vertical loads, such as gravity and snow, has been relatively overlooked. This study investigates the structural behavior of the St. Bartholomeus Church under static and dynamic loading conditions. After conducting material characterization and structural assessments, three-dimensional finite element model was developed using SAP2000 v20 and ANSYS v19 to identify the difference in the results. The structure was analyzed under its own weight, snow load, and seismic excitations to evaluate its response and identify potential sources of damage. The results indicate that the structure exhibits significant tensile and shear stress concentrations even under its own weight. When snow loads are included, these stress levels increase significantly, particularly in the roof and west wall. This suggests that damage could initiate under vertical loading conditions. Seismic effects could further exacerbate these effects and contribute to the progression of damage. These findings indicate that dead and snow loads can significantly contribute to the deterioration of abandoned historical masonry structures, and that these factors must be considered alongside seismic effects in structural assessments. Accordingly, structural reinforcement measures may be necessary to enhance stability and resilience, particularly in the event of a future earthquake.