ABSTRACT: Domes in historical buildings by Architect Sinan were not only used alone as covering
spaces but they were also used as a various combinations of semi‐domes based on larger main and
flanking areas. On the other hand, Sinan, in the early years of his profession, improved a system based
on the mixture of perfectly developed main domes, pendentives, arches and semi‐domes. The behavior
of this monolithic system is quite complex. Therefore, to determine the structural behavior and the load
mechanisms of the monolithic systems formed main dome, arches, pendentives and semi‐domes is now
possible through current numerical methods based on computer‐aided analysis. In this study,
considering the superstructure of Sinan’s important mosques, Mihrimah Sultan/Edirnekapı,
Süleymaniye, Mihrimah Sultan/Üsküdar,  Şehzade Mehmed mosques supported by square support
system, Karaahmetpaşa, Sokullu Mehmet Paşa/Kadırga mosques supported by hexagonal support
system, Sokullu Mehmet Paşa/Azapkapı and Selimiye mosques supported by octagonal support system
were statically analyzed under their dead loads by Structural Analysis Programme (SAP2000) based on
finite element methods. To avoid the confusion, which may come out in modeling and analyzing domed
roof systems, the models of all space coves have been established for the upper levels of arches resting
on columns. As a result, the structural behavior of main dome, arches, pendentives and semi‐domes was
determined and the structural behavior of each system was numerically revealed. Domes rested on
hexagonal and octagonal support systems are superior to other systems in terms of displacements and
stresses.