Effect of Natural Degradation on Wood Samples Used in Late Ottoman Period Architecture: A Case Study from Kahramanmaraş (Southern Türkiye)

Abstract

This article examines the chemical deterioration of wooden materials on the exterior surfaces of a historical mansion in Kahramanmaraş, constructed using the Bağdadi Wall Construction Technique, which is a rare example of Late Ottoman-Turkish architecture. The study employed various analyses to demonstrate that environmental factors, such as air, temperature, light, rain, and biological decay, have aged the wood. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed a decrease in holocellulose peak density and lignin degradation. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the amorphous components of hardwood had diminished, leading to an increase in crystallinity, while the crystalline cellulose content in softwood had decreased, thereby weakening the structure. Thermal analysis uncovered changes in thermal stability between the wood’s outer and inner surfaces. Ultraviolet analysis indicated a 21% color change on the exterior compared to that in the interior. Despite the deterioration of the exterior, the interior surfaces remained intact. Appropriate measures could prolong the mansion’s lifespan, and urgent restoration is necessary to preserve this important cultural heritage.