System Identification of Mosques Resting on Soft Soil. The Case of the Suleiman Mosque in the Medieval City of Rhodes, Greece

Research on the Suleiman Mosque minaret in Rhodes reveals that its dynamic behavior is minimally influenced by the presence of the entire mosque structure. Using ambient vibration measurements and advanced 3D modeling, including soil-structure interaction and foundation flexibility, scientists identified the minaret's eigenproperties. The study found no significant difference in the first two modes of response between the isolated minaret and the full mosque model, suggesting that the minaret's seismic behavior can be effectively assessed without considering the entire monument's presence. This insight enhances the reliability of earthquake response evaluations for such structures.

Karatzetzou, A., Pitilakis, D., & Karafagka, S. (2021). System Identification of Mosques Resting on Soft Soil. The Case of the Suleiman Mosque in the Medieval City of Rhodes, Greece. Geosciences, 11(7), 275. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11070275