Dynamic identification of three 19th century churches in Turkey

It is of great importance to determine the in-situ wall strength and dynamic characteristics of historic structures by experimental methods before structural analysis. The most effective experimental methods are the flat-jack, shear and vibration tests. After experimental methods, dynamic behaviour of the structures should be checked by the finite element analysis. Dynamic characteristics of three churches constructed in the 19th century in Balikesir and Bursa provinces, now reduced to load-bearing walls (outer walls) only, are analysed in this study. It was established that, in order to identify dynamic characteristics of such structures, both the whole structure and the individual walls should be tested and evaluated by means of the finite element analysis.