Structural Assessment of the Sustainability of the Historical Clock Tower as a Landmark

Abstract

In the historical process, many tools have been used to measure time. With technological advances, clock towers were built with mechanical clocks. But today, rather than their original function, historic urban centers have become an image of cities. First built in Europe, clock towers were built in various cities of Anatolia during the Ottoman Period. The protection and sustainability of clock towers, which are one of physical identity, is important for the continuity of cultural heritage. Determining the damages that earthquakes will contribute to the protection and sustainability of clock towers. In the study, the historical clock tower in Çorum was modeled in three dimensions and subjected to static and dynamic analysis. In static analysis, it is seen that the upper part of the main entrance door and dynamic analyses increase in the transition from the octagonal plan in the lower region to the circular cross-sectional zone in the upper region. Also, it was determined that the maximum values of deformations appeared as displacement in orthogonal directions at the top of the tower. As a result, as a strengthening proposal, it is thought that iron tensioners passing through the stirrup plane of the entrance door conveyor belt should be added.