The effect of the dimensions and locations of the openings and the influence of inclination on dynamic response of nine Persian historical brick masonry minarets constructed in the eleventh to fourteenth centuries is studied. The operational modal test was performed on a minaret constructed in the laboratory and the frequencies were obtained by the ARTeMIS software, and the ANSYS software was used for updating its finite element model. A range was determined for the values of the modulus of elasticity and bulk density to obtain acceptable ranges for the frequencies of the minarets. Then finite element model updating of the historical minarets was performed to determine their frequencies. Several dimensions and locations were assumed for the openings and two inclination angles were considered to study their effect on the frequencies. Minarets were then subjected to earthquakes in order to investigate the effect of openings and inclination on their seismic response.
