Evaluation of the Effect of Change in Support Conditions on the Seismic Behavior of a Historical Masonry Bridge

It is believed that the Yılanlı (or Leylekli) Bridge (bridge with stork or snake figures) in Tokat, a city high seismicity, was built during Roman Byzantine period. Although no structural damage found on bridge, which still open to pedestrian traffic, it very important determine seismic behaviour of bridge considering possible earthquakes structure will be exposed. This article presents response historical (Leylekli) Bridge, has been subjected unfavourable human-made changes geometric shape over time. The original and modified shapes were modelled using macro modelling approach ANSYS finite element software. performance models evaluated terms stresses, deformations, especially cracks arch spandrel walls nonlinear static time history analyses. results analysis show change shape, not desirable from an architectural aesthetic point view, adversely affects makes more vulnerable earthquakes. In addition, analyses clearly showed both are subject serious could lead collapse event potential large magnitude earthquake.