Seismic Damage Propagation Prediction in Ancient Masonry Structures: an Application in the Non-Linear Range Via Numerical Models

Preservation of the architectural heritage placed in seismically active regions is a crucial issue. A contribution to dynamic characterization and seismic assessment of medieval masonry structures is provided in a representative single case study, the Archez tower, located in the active seismic area of Malaga, Spain. This study follows a multidisciplinary approach, in order to identify architectural, historical and structural features. The tower exhibits high vulnerability under seismic action, mainly due to its slenderness, low shear strength, low ductility and its possible lack of effective connec- tions among structural elements. To assess its safety, transient and incremental static analyses are performed, aimed at predicting the seismic demand as well as obtaining the expected plastic mechanisms, the distribution of damage and the performance of the building under future earthquakes. A number of three-dimensional linear and non-linear finite element models with different levels of complexity and simplifications are developed, using 3-D solid elements, 3-D beams and macro-elements. All the models assume that the masonry structure is homogeneous, and the material non-linear behaviour -including crushing and cracking- is simulated by means of different constitutive models. Comparison among the different models is discussed, in particular as predicted local and global collapse mechanisms is concerned, to evaluate the suitabil- ity, accuracy and limitations of each analysis.

[1]  J. Mander,et al.  Theoretical stress strain model for confined concrete , 1988 .

[2]  E. P. Warnke,et al.  CONSTITUTIVE MODEL FOR THE TRIAXIAL BEHAVIOR OF CONCRETE , 1975 .

[3]  Nathan M. Newmark,et al.  A Method of Computation for Structural Dynamics , 1959 .

[4]  C. Modena,et al.  An “ Innovative ” Procedure for assessing the Seismic Capacity of Historical Tall Buildings : The “ Torre Grossa ” Masonry Tower , 2006 .

[5]  Ángela Barrios Padura.  Estudio de las cimentaciones de edificios históricos en la provincia de Sevilla. Siglo XII al XVI , 2001 .

[6]  Paulo B. Lourenço,et al.  Implementation and validation of a constitutive model for the cyclic behaviour of interface elements , 2004 .

[7]  Antonella Saisi,et al.  INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF HISTORIC MASONRIES , 2000 .

[8]  A. S. Elnashai,et al.  Confined concrete model under cyclic load , 1997 .

[9]  Andrew Petersen,et al.  Dictionary of Islamic architecture , 1995 .

[10]  Thomas E. Boothby,et al.  Three-dimensional modelling and full-scale testing of stone arch bridges , 2001 .

[11]  P. Lourenço.  Computational strategies for masonry structures : Proefschrift , 1996 .

[12]  Anil K. Chopra,et al.  Dynamics of Structures: Theory and Applications to Earthquake Engineering , 1995 .

[13]  María Dolores Aguilar García.  Dos alminares malagueños , 1977 .

[14]  Sergio Lagomarsino,et al.  DAMAGE MODELS FOR THE SEISMIC RESPONSE OF BRICK MASONRY SHEAR WALLS. PART II: THE CONTINUUM MODEL AND ITS APPLICATIONS , 1997 .

[15]  S. Ivorra,et al.  A comparison of different failure criteria in a numerical seismic assessment of an industrial brickwork chimney , 2009 .

[16]  D. C. Drucker,et al.  Soil mechanics and plastic analysis or limit design , 1952 .

[17]  Michele Betti,et al.  Assessment of seismic resistance of a basilica-type church under earthquake loading: Modelling and analysis , 2008, Adv. Eng. Softw..

[18]  Paulo B. Lourenço,et al.  Simplified indexes for the seismic vulnerability of ancient masonry buildings , 2006 .

[19]  Seth Stovack Kessler.  Piezoelectric-based in-situ damage detection of composite materials for structural health monitoring systems , 2002 .

[20]  J. J. Giner,et al.  Magnitude-Intensity Relationships in the Ibero-Magrebhian Region , 2000 .

[21]  Claudio Modena,et al.  Seismic Assessment of Complex Historical Buildings: Application to Reggio Emilia Cathedral, Italy , 2008 .

[22]  Belén Benito,et al.  Expected ground motion in the south-east of Spain due to an earthquake in the epicentral area of the 1910 Adra earthquake , 2003 .