Abstract: “Minarets are tower-like structures constructed next to mosques for the purpose of calling to prayer. The historical masonry minarets are constructed using brick or stone blocks. The structure of minarets has evolved throughout the history. Since minarets are slender and tall structures, they are vulnerable to fail under lateral dynamic effects such as earthquake and wind. It is therefore important to determine their dynamic characteristics. In this study, three major Turkic historical masonry minarets representing three different periods, namely Karakhanid, Anatolian Seljuk and Ottoman periods are studied through finite element modal analyses using Abaqus software. The natural frequencies and mode shapes of the minarets obtained from the modal analyses are compared.”

Keywords: historical minaret, Turkic minaret, dynamic characteristics, modal analysis.