Seismic performance and failure mechanisms of minarets: lessons from the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes for structural design and mitigation

Abstract The structural safety of minarets is a critical issue, as their collapse during earthquakes poses severe risks to human life and nearby structures. However, there are no regulations considering their unique structural behavior. In the present study, this unique behavior is investigated by a comprehensive field reconnaissance conducted on masonry and RC minarets affected by the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. This investigation focused on identifying the underlying causes of minaret damage and collapse, with particular attention to failure mechanisms, material deficiencies, structural design shortcomings, and detailing weaknesses. In addition to the recorded high ground accelerations, the study revealed that the causes of minaret collapse and damage were widespread structural defects and design practices that inadequately reflect their unique seismic behavior. Furthermore, on a representative masonry minaret model, modal and time-history analyses were performed to investigate dynamic behavior. Another noteworthy finding highlights that near-fault effects are significantly influential in the collapse direction of RC minarets. Finally, design suggestions for future regulations specialized for the structural behavior of minarets and mitigation strategies are presented, to prevent similar damage and collapses in future earthquakes.