A. Lozano Martínez-Luengas

Evaluation of the damage in the vault and portico of the pre-Romanesque chapel of San Salvador de Valdediós using frictional contacts and the finite-element method

Monuments are by definition unique buildings which cannot be reduced to any standard structural scheme. In this study, we have used quasi-static loads, which is common practice in many finite-element (FEM) analyses of masonry structures. Thus it is difficult to evaluate their reliability, because in addition to the many uncertainties that exist in all ‘old’ buildings, no statistics on the behaviour of similar buildings are available. In this paper we describe a study of the structure of the chapel of San Salvador de Valdediós and proposals for its restoration. The non-linear analysis is based on the application of FEM to each of the stone blocks in this ancient structure. The blocks are assembled side by side using ‘contact elements’ in order to reproduce the mechanical behaviour of the mortar and the surface conditions of the blocks, some of which are seriously damaged. A clear understanding of the structural behaviour, based on sophisticated analysis tools, can reduce the extent of the remedial measures necessary for the restoration of the chapel vault and portico. In this case, severe damage to the chapel vault has affected the portico, resulting in the possibility of a structural collapse. Finally, based on the numerical results obtained for different load cases and hypotheses, we propose a solution for the repair of this part of the chapel using either traditional materials or compatible substitutes.

Non-linear thermal analysis of the efficiency of light concrete big-holed bricks by FEM

This paper shows how advanced numerical methods can help to improve the thermal efficiency of multi-holed brick walls. In order to get this objective, we will present a new methodology based on different numerical simulations. With the help of the finite element analysis (FEA), we present an optimization procedure in order to determine the best big-holed candidate brick from the thermal point of view. With respect to the ecological design and the energy saving for housing and industrial structures, there is also a great interest in light building materials with good physical and thermal behaviors, which fulfils all thermal requirements of the new CTE Spanish rule for further energy savings. On the one hand, we want to validate the numerical analysis procedure, based on the simulation of three-dimensional walls by the finite element method (FEM). On the other hand, we have analyzed the material conductivity for different compositions of the light concrete. The FEM is used for finding accurate solutions of ...