Non-destructive test applications in planned conservation of historical mosques of Kocaeli˙: Çoban Mustafa Paşa Mosque, Fevzi˙ye Mosque and Pertev Paşa Mosque

Abstract

The conservation of historical buildings via charters, general principles, methods for maintenance and repair of the buildings have been analysed in the international environment. Theories, approaches and conservation methods have been adopted along with the developing technology in relevance with the current conditions. Conservation is a process including consistent, coordinated and programmed activity of study, prevention (limiting situation of risk), maintenance (controlling the conditions of property) and restoration (direct intervention). In this regard, the significance of non-destructive tests on existing historical buildings -in the context of planned conservation- should be highlighted, and become widespread. In a country like Turkey which includes extensively rich comprehesive historical building stocks, it is a difficult task to appraise the physical conditions of all historical buildings by non-destructive tests with a limited number of experts. On the contrary, appraisal of present conditions of building stocks and detailed diagnostics phase of the buildings are important in terms of conscious and sustainable conservation. The buildings under the effect of interior and ambient environmental conditions and decays that are developed on building envelope or structural elements due to these conditions affect the structure and thermal comfort conditions in a negative way. Continuous monitoring of these actions causing decay and degradations prevent the structure to be under high risk and necessitates heavy interventions on buildings. By the non-destructive test applications during monitoring, the buildings are prevented to be under high risks and the necessity for heavy interventions can be eradicated. In this research, three significant architectural heritages of Kocaeli city; Pertev Paşa Mosque, Gebze çoban Mustafa Paşa Mosque and Fevziye Mosque - that were constructed in 16th century,- will be analysed. These three mosques are listed by national protection board and they were investigated without giving any damage to the buildings. All structures whose original construction dates back to 16th century were selected according to three criteria: Pertev Paşa Mosque and Fevziye Mosque are exposed to same climatic conditions due to their close locations with each other; on the other hand Fevziye Mosque display different material and construction system since they were being subjected to reconstructions from several times. çoban Mustafa Paşa Mosque, conserved well like Pertev Paşa Mosque in terms of material, construction system and architectural properties, is located in a different place than others. The outcomes and methods of the project, "Non-Destructive Test Applications, in the Context of Planned Conservation, through Historical Mosques of Kocaeli: Coban Mustafa Pasa Mosque, Fevziye Mosque and Pertev Pasa Mosque" funded by TUBITAK, are discussed and evaluated in this paper. Temperature and relative humidity values of inside and ambient environments were measured by dataloggers and probes for three mosques. The visual and quantitative data of the buildings were obtained to appraise degradation of building envelope and define micro-climatic conditions of the materials by Infrared Thermography and Ultrasonic Velocity Methods. Condensation risk in the mosques by logging inside and ambient environment temperature and relative humidity level were found high in praying times. Existing and possible deteriorations and previous interventions were found via Infrared thermography captures. Moreover, the voids inside the building envelope and qualitative properties of materials were revealed by tests.