Explained: How Did The Ottoman Architect Make Earthquake Resistant Structures

Mimar Sinan 每 one of the greatest architects of the Ottoman era, is known for his refined concepts of building structures. With the recent tremors of earthquakes felt by all so frequently, one might think: How did the old structure remain intact, witnessing years of tremors?

Who was Mimar Sinan?

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The answer lies in the techniques they used. Sinan was born in central Anatolia in 1490s. His lineage is debated, as some scholars believe that he was Greek, some say he had Armenian traces, and some believe that he was a Christian Turk. However, there is a consensus on the fact that he converted to Islam.

Sinan settled in Istanbul, once known as Constantinople, before the Ottomans took over the Byzantine empire. Istanbul is located in a highly active earthquake zone. However, the structures have survived the tremors due to the efforts Sinan has put into designing them.

Coming from a family of stone masons and carpenters, Sinan, too, took a keen interest in building structures. He devoted his entire life and skills to the Ottoman royal family, especially Sultan Suleyman I as the construction officer.

Techniques Sinan used to create Earthquake resistant structures

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After the Ottomans took over Constantinople, the greatest Church was turned into a mosque- Hagia Sophia. Sinan then fortified the structure to ensure that the dome stood firm. ※While the Hagia Sophia＊s huge dome collapsed after its first construction and needed several renovations due to partial collapses in the pre-Ottoman period, during the Ottoman era and following that, we don＊t see a long-term need for repairs in the building. The main reason for that is Architect Sinan,§ said Yasin Karabacak, a Turkish researcher of Hagia Sophia.

Sinan has made over 300 structures in his 40 years long career. Some of the major architectural marvels he is known for are Suleyman I the Magnificent Mosque, Sehzade Mosque, and Selum Mosque in Edrine.

Sinan used a special kind of mortar known as the Horasan mortar, which comprised lime, clay, sand, and ostrich＊s egg whites and onions. After laying the foundation, he would leave it for at least one year for Earth to adapt to the structure. He would also insert absorbent materials to allow the shock from the earthquake to be absorbed. A technique used in Japan with seismic isolators centuries after Sinan＊s discovery.

Sinan also used rotating columns to check whether the structures sustained damage. In case it did not, the columns will not turn.

Fortifying other Structures to safeguard his own

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Sinan also fortified other structures so they did not fall on the ones he had built. He would transfer the foundation load using frames and side walls. Dome＊s load would be taken to the pillars through arches- a common technique of earthquake scales.

In Ayasofya, he added supporting blocks and minarets to keep it from collapsing.

Sinan also carefully laid down drainage pipes to protect the foundation from dampness.

Efforts Sinan has put into curating each section of a structure carefully have what made these grand structures survive the test of time!