The S4H team recently published a research paper in the Journal of Structures, authored by  Dr. Shaghayegh Karimzadeh, and Prof. Paulo B. Lourenço, in collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Pinar Usta. The study develops seismic fragility curves for historical Khan masonry monuments in Izmir, Türkiye, to support earthquake risk assessment and heritage preservation. Fragility curves are derived using peak ground acceleration (PGA) as the intensity measure for different limit states, Immediate Occupancy, Life Safety, and Collapse Prevention, considering both X- and Y-directions. Results reveal greater vulnerability in the Y-direction (perpendicular to the main façade) due to the structural configuration. Comparison with observed damage from the 2020 Samos earthquake (M_w 7.0) shows good agreement and indicates only minor non-structural damage (IO level), confirming the monuments’ ability to maintain structural integrity under low seismic demand. The study emphasizes the importance of considering directional weaknesses and observed damage patterns in seismic risk assessments, highlighting the need for targeted retrofitting strategies that are tailored to the unique structural characteristics of historical Khan monuments.

The full paper can be accessed at Link.