Comprehensive studies are needed to better understand the original acoustical features of historical baths in order to uncover the historical technologies that enabled the acoustical performance for which they are renowned and to ensure they retain this performance with time. In this study, acoustic performances of Seng&uuml / l Hamami and Kadi Hamami, two 15th century historical baths belonging to the Ottoman period, were examined to discover their original acoustical features and to assess their present situation by taking into consideration the recent incompatible repair work. The analyses were done by using 3D computer modeling and acoustical simulation methods supported by laboratory analyses. The results were evaluated in terms of sound absorption characteristics of historical lime-based plasters, the original acoustical features of historical Turkish baths and acoustical failures related to recent repairs. The study showed that these baths had originally well-designed acoustical features provide for a proper environment for musical performances. This success was attributed to the conscious use of historical materials having high sound absorption characteristics. It was seen that these original acoustical features had been destroyed by wrong repairs using cement-based plasters. These plasters demonstrated incompatible acoustical properties, such as less porosity and lower sound absorption coefficients. This study also helped to define acoustical specifications for such historical baths to be maintained in restoration work.

Historical Turkish baths still keeping their functional systems represent their original architectural and building technologies. Studies on the functional systems of historical baths are therefore needed to discover such technologies and to maintain them in working order. This study was conducted on a 15th century historical Turkish bath, Seng&uuml / l Hamami, in Ankara for assessment of its water supply and drainage systems. These systems comprised of hot and cold-water supply, wastewater and rainwater drainage, were examined in terms of their adequacy, capacity and faults. Comparisons were made with certain other historical Turkish baths to determine their original water storage and consumption capacities. The investigations were made by using non-destructive methods. Among them, the calculation methods used for discharge capacity assessment of drainage systems in Seng&uuml / l Hamami and consumption capacities of its water supply system were adapted and developed from the calculation methods used for contemporary buildings. Serious dampness problems arising from certain roof drainage faults were identified in the building. The wastewater collection and discharge system was found to have serious problems due to improper grading and inadequate flow dimensions of drains and wastewater channels. The ideal situation for the improvement of discharge systems was discussed together with some suggestions on the urgent remedial interventions, preventive measures and future improvements. The methods developed in this study were considered useful for the calculation of adequacy and capacity of wastewater and roof drainage systems and of water storage and consumption capacities of water supply system for the other historical baths.

Comprehensive studies are needed to discover materials and construction technologies contributing to the thermal performance of historical buildings and to keep them in working order over time. Examined in this study were the thermal performance characteristics of Seng&uuml / l Hamami, a 15th Century Ottoman bath, to discover original thermo-physical properties of historic materials and to assess thermal failures in present situation by taking into consideration recent incompatible repair work. The analyses were done by using non-destructive investigation methods, such as microclimatic monitoring, quantitative infrared thermography (QIRT), heat and water vapour transfer calculations, supported by laboratory analyses on thermo-physical properties of historic materials. The results were evaluated in terms of thermal properties of historic materials establishing the historic dome section, microclimatic characteristics of Seng&uuml / l Hamami, its original thermal characteristics, and thermal failures occurred in time due to wrong repairs. An in-situ assessment method was also developed for the identification of thermal and moisture failures at real boundary conditions by joint interpretation of QIRT and heat transfer calculation results. The study showed that historic dome structure of Seng&uuml / l Hamami was originally configured to provide sufficient thermal insulation characteristics owing to good thermal properties of its materials. That success was attributed to conscious use of low-density, high-porosity historic materials having low thermal conductance and high vapour permeability characteristics. It was seen that the thermal performance of historic structure was severely destroyed by recent repairs using concrete and cement-based materials, which were incompatible with historic fabric of the structure due to their different thermo-physical properties.