Multi-Scale Mechanical Behavior of a Gothic Monument Composed of Ashlar Masonry. Application to the Design of a Reinforcement Technique

ABSTRACT This article presents a structural method for the assessment of a gothic monument composed of buttresses and ribbed vaults. The FEM approach used is based on identifying a working point that corresponds to an equilibrium state of the structure. It leads to the design of a strengthening solution for the structure. The multi-scale approach begins at the component scale with the determination of the mechanical properties of the masonry from sound velocity measurements. Then a homogenization method is used to preserve the heterogeneous character of the masonry at the structural scale. A failure criterion is developed that takes account of the complex failure modes of masonry subjected to axial and bending loads and of the uncertainties on its mechanical characteristics. Finally, the effectiveness of this approach for designing a strengthening solution is presented and discussed.

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