NÖHÜ Müh. Bilim. Derg. / NOHU J. Eng. Sci., 2022; 11(4), 1034-1041 Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Journal of Engineering Sciences Araştırma makalesi / Research article www.dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ngumuh / www.dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ngumuh * Sorumlu yazar / Corresponding author, e-posta / e-mail: sakcaozoglu@ohu.edu.tr (S. Akçaözoğlu) Geliş / Recieved: 16.09.2022 Kabul / Accepted: 04.10.2022 Yayımlanma / Published: 14.10.2022 doi: 10.28948/ngmuh.1176288 1042 Investigation of material deterioration and seismic behavior of Fertek and Hançerli Churches in Cappadocia Region Kapadokya bölgesindeki Fertek ve Hançerli Kiliselerinin malzeme bozulmalarının ve sismik davranışlarının incelenmesi Metin Hakan Severcan 1 , Emel Efe Yavaşcan 2 , Semiha Akçaözoğlu 3,* Kubilay Akçaözoğlu 4 1,4 Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Civil Engineering Department, 51240, Niğde Turkey 2,3 Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Architecture Department, 51240, Niğde, Turkey Abstract Öz Cappadocia is one of the rare natural and cultural centers on earth with its fairy chimneys, underground cities, rock churches, stone buildings and natural beauties. Among these artifacts, Fertek and Hançerli Churches that are subjected to the scope of the study are very original buildings with their superior construction techniques and rich workmanship according to the period they were built. In this study, the architectural features of Fertek and Hançerli Churches which were built in the 19th century and located within Niğde province in the Cappadocia Region were examined and material deteriorations were determined. In the light of the determinations, the existing static properties of these buildings were examined using Dynamic Finite Element Analysis program. Discoloration, vegetation, crack formation, humidification and partial mortar and stone loss were detected in both churches. When the analysis results are evaluated it has been determined that the buildings need repair and conservation depending on the region and soil class and considering the earthquake forces. Kapadokya Peribacaları, yeraltı şehirleri, kaya kiliseleri, taş yapıları ve doğal güzellikleri ile yeryüzündeki ender doğal ve kültürel merkezler arasında yer almaktadır. Bu eserlerden çalışma kapsamına alınan Fertek ve Hançerli Kiliseleri, yapıldıkları döneme göre üstün yapım teknikleri ve zengin işçiliği ile oldukça özgün yapılardır. Bu çalışmada Kapadokya Bölgesinde yer alan Niğde ili sınırları içerisinde bulunan ve 19. yüzyılda inşa edilen Fertek ve Hançerli Kiliselerinin mimari özellikleri incelenmiş ve malzeme bozulmaları tespit edilmiştir. Bu tespitler ışığında yapıların mevcut statik özellikleri Dinamik Sonlu Elemanlar Analizi programı kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Her iki kilise yapısında da renk bozulması, bitkilenme, çatlak oluşumu, nemlenme, kısmi harç ve taş kayıpları tespit edilmiştir. Analiz sonuçları değerlendirildiğinde, yapıların bulunduğu bölgeye ve zemin sınıfına bağlı olarak ve deprem kuvvetleri dikkate alınarak onarım ve korumaya gereksinimlerinin olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Keywords: Cappadocia, Church, Historical monument, Seismic performance, Stone deterioration Anahtar kelimeler: Kapadokya, Kilise, Tarihi anıt, Sismik performans, Taş bozulması. 1 Introduction Cappadocia, the cradle of important settlements in history has been a region where different cultures lived for centuries. Christian population who escaped from oppression between the centuries made this region an important center of Christianity at especially 7-13 centuries [1]. Cappadocia is located on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The province of Niğde constitutes the southern borders of the Cappadocia Region. There are underground cities, Gümüşler Monastery, the ruins of Tyana Ancient City, Roman Pool, Kemerhisar Aqueducts, churches, mosques and historical monument belonging to different periods. This province is different from other cities in the region because it has many churches that can reach to the present day [2]. There are almost 25 churches that almost all of which belong to the first half of the 19th century in center, town and village settlements. Fertek and Hançerli are notable for with its historical, architectural and artistic values among these churches. Both churches have a common style of 19th- century buildings and also exhibit their own unique style. [3]. While many churches in the region have been abandoned and not used, these two buildings continue to be used in mosque function. Fertek Church deserves a great importance in terms of art history with its wall paintings. The apsis paintings in the building are referring to the art of Western painting rather than the works in Anatolia with their iconographic features and style [4]. The exterior facade arrangements of the Hançerli Church are richer than the other churches in the region. Fertek Church have been used as mosque since 1925 and Hançerli Church have been used as mosque since 1930-1940. Since these buildings continue to be used with a similar function to their original functions, they have survived to the present day largely preserved. Needs arising from new actions caused by social and economic changes in societies may require adaptive reuse for new purpose in buildings [5]. Serious damage can occur over time due to lack of maintenance in abandoned buildings that have not been used for a long time and even in some cases the building is completely lost [6]. Re-functioning the structures that cannot participate in life with their original