Author: Hüseyin BİLGİN
Publishing Date: 2006
E-ISSN: 2147-9364
Volume 21 Issue 3_4
ABSTRACT:
Domes in historical buildings by Architect Sinan were not only used alone as covering spaces but they were also used as a various combinations of semi‐domes based on larger main and flanking areas. On the other hand, Sinan, in the early years of his profession, improved a system based on the mixture of perfectly developed main domes, pendentives, arches and semi‐domes. The behavior of this monolithic system is quite complex. Therefore, to determine the structural behavior and the load mechanisms of the monolithic systems formed main dome, arches, pendentives and semi‐domes is now possible through current numerical methods based on computer‐aided analysis. In this study, considering the superstructure of Sinan’s important mosques, Mihrimah Sultan/Edirnekapı, Süleymaniye, Mihrimah Sultan/Üsküdar, Şehzade Mehmed mosques supported by square support system, Karaahmetpaşa, Sokullu Mehmet Paşa/Kadırga mosques supported by hexagonal support system, Sokullu Mehmet Paşa/Azapkapı and Selimiye mosques supported by octagonal support system were statically analyzed under their dead loads by Structural Analysis Programme (SAP2000) based on finite element methods. To avoid the confusion, which may come out in modeling and analyzing domed roof systems, the models of all space coves have been established for the upper levels of arches resting on columns. As a result, the structural behavior of main dome, arches, pendentives and semi‐domes was determined and the structural behavior of each system was numerically revealed. Domes rested on hexagonal and octagonal support systems are superior to other systems in terms of displacements and stresses.
Key Words: Architect Sinan; Dome; Pendentive; Arch