Squared stone masonry

This is a common building type found in urban areas, especially in Western Turkey. The walls are made from cut stone laid in lime mortar (cement-lime more recently) and are one to three-storeyed with timber roofs and tiles or slates. Occasionally the floors are of reinforced concrete cast-in-situ slabs in older larger buildings of arch construction. Features affecting earthquake performance are: age and condition of masonry; degree of connection between orthogonal walls; degree of connection between walls and roof; weight of roof; plan shape; extent of openings

Brick or block unreinforced masonry

Usually low rise (up to three storeys). The structure consists of load-bearing fired brick or more recently hollow concrete block in a cement or lime mortar. Horizontal structure is commonly reinforced concrete slabs but older buildings may have timber beams. The use of timber or reinforced concrete lintels and ring-beam is more common in the better built houses. Roofs with timber trusses covered by tiles or flat reinforced concrete slabs are common. Many of the older buildings are of this type, often ornate and sometimes with stone masonry quoins or stone masonry facades.

Features affecting earthquake performance are: age and condition of masonry; degree of connection between orthogonal walls; degree of connection between walls and roof; weight of roof; plan shape; extent of openings.