Abstract

The Bozdogan (Valens) aqueduct in Istanbul is one of the most prominent water supply structures inherited from the Byzantine period. The paper investigates the out-of-plane seismic resistance of the aqueduct. The structural system of the aqueduct is composed of a series of piers connected to each other with arches at two tier levels. Taking advantage of the structural periodicity, only one pier of the highest part of the aqueduct is considered for the analysis instead of the whole structure. This pier is modelled as a cantilever prismatic element subjected to gravity load and increasing lateral load representing out-of-plane seismic loading. It is assumed that the pier is made of a no-tension material, with a linear stress-strain relationship in compression, and has infinite compression strength. To accomplish the solution, an efficient numerical model and solution procedure developed by La Mendola and Papia for investigating the stability of masonry piers under their own weight and an eccentric top load, is utilised and adapted to the problem at hand. The analysis showed that, although, the aqueduct can withstand out-of-plane earthquake ground motions of medium size and usually encountered periods, it is vulnerable to the ones containing long-period pulses.

Key words: Bozdogan (Valens) aqueduct, seismic, out-of-plane resistance, numerical model.