Assessing Seismic Risks in Heritage Slender Masonry Minaret: A Case Study of Chand Minar
摘要
This paper presents a finite element analysis of Chand Minar, a remarkable masonry heritage minaret in India, renowned for its architectural and cultural significance. Standing at 65 m, this 14th-century structure is a testament to India’s rich historical legacy. The seismic performance of the minaret was analyzed using the time-history method with data from various ground motion levels. The analysis revealed critical insights into the structural integrity of Chand Minar, highlighting areas where the principal tensile and compressive stresses were most prominent. These findings are essential for identifying the most vulnerable sections, such as the junctions between the stair and shell, openings, and the minaret base, thus providing valuable information for preservation efforts. An initial finite element model with solid elements was meticulously developed and calibrated with results from empirical method. The assessments focused on the minaret’s structural integrity in its most vulnerable directions in both the initial and refined models. Key metrics, including maximum top displacement, drift ratios, and principal stress values, were calculated, offering a comprehensive evaluation of the minaret’s seismic resilience.