Structural Performance Analysis of Konya Seljuk Kumbet Typologies Using the Finite Element Method

Authors : Fatmanur Atalay, Asena Soyluk

Pages : 64-84

Doi:10.47702/sema.2025.67

View : 129 | Download : 244

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Anatolian lands, which have hosted numerous civilizations throughout history, possess a rich cultural heritage that has survived to the present day through conservation and restoration practices. In Konya, the capital of the Anatolian Seljuk State, there are many cultural assets reflecting the architectural understanding of the period. A significant part of these works consists of monumental tomb structures that emerged in Turkish societies after the adoption of Islam. The subject of this study is the tomb structures of the Anatolian Seljuk period, referred to as “kumbets” in architectural literature. These structures not only represent the architectural identity of the Seljuks but also demonstrate the continuity in Anatolia of the funerary typology originating in Turkistan, where the traditions of kurgans and tent forms were transformed into stone architecture. In this context, it is understood that the cultural and architectural heritage of Turkistan played a decisive role in shaping the kumbet tradition in Anatolia. The aim of the study is to classify the kumbets identified in Konya typologically and to examine the structural behavior of selected examples through numerical modeling and structural analysis methods. The comparisons obtained contribute to the development of appropriate strategies regarding the structural performance of different typologies for the conservation of monumental tombs. As a result of the research, it was determined that the kumbet typology with more openings on the façade surface exhibits lower structural strength under dead load compared to other typologies. This situation necessitates the adoption of prioritized and effective conservation approaches for this typology.
Keywords : Anadolu Selçuklu mezar mimarisi, Restorasyon-Koruma, Kümbet tipolojisi, Sayısal modelleme, Yapısal performans analizi.

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