Structural analysis of traditional Antakya houses after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake

This study investigates the seismic vulnerability of two traditional masonry houses in Antakya, Türkiye, following the devastating Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on February 6, 2023. Recognizing the significant risk posed to historical structures in seismically active regions, the research employs the 3Muri software to conduct an analysis of the structural behavior of such architectural heritage against ground shaking taking into account the damage evaluation in the context of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. The method of the study is especially favorable to the use of a macromodel approach, Equivalent Frame Method, under which the seismic response of the structural system is modelled. The analysis highlights the critical importance of accurately modeling the material properties and structural characteristics of these buildings, which feature complex geometries and historical construction techniques. According to the obtained results, it appears that both houses may fail under lateral decay forces and the wall accounts for a relevant portion of wall settlement beyond the limit of acceptability. It reveals that despite prior retrofitting efforts, both houses demonstrated insufficient seismic safety, underscoring the need for enhanced understanding and intervention strategies in the preservation of cultural heritage. The findings suggest that future assessments should prioritize comprehensive data collection on soil properties and previous retrofitting practices to improve the accuracy of numerical modeling. This research contributes to the discourse on the preservation of historic masonry buildings, advocating for proactive measures to safeguard architectural heritage against seismic threats.