Investigation of Seasonal Low Temperature Effects on Dynamic Behavior of Prototype Reinforced Concrete Minaret by Using Experimental and Numerical Studies

Abstract

In this study, an experimental and numerical study is carried out to estimate the dynamic behavior of reinforced concrete minaret subjected to low temperatures during earthquakes. For this purpose, 1:20 reduced scale model of an actual reinforced concrete minaret was built in the laboratory. In order to estimate the effects of the seasonal low temperatures on the minaret, the model was placed into a large volume freezer and then were exposed to low temperatures of -50C, -100C, -200C and -300C, respectively. For each temperature, the model was taken outside the freezer and by using the shaking table, the maximum acceleration values at the top and middle region of the minaret were obtained with accelerometers mounted on the minaret. The maximum acceleration values illustrated that seasonal low temperatures affect seismic behavior of the prototype reinforced concrete minaret model.