Aldo Giordano

Modelling of historical masonry structures: comparison of different approaches through a case study

Abstract In this paper, the applicability of different numerical techniques for the analysis of masonry structures is investigated, comparing the computed results with the experimental test data obtained on a full-scale masonry specimen. Three approaches are taken into account. Namely, the standard FEM modelling strategy, based on the concepts of homogenizated material and smeared cracking constitutive law, is used in the version implemented in the commercial code ABAQUS by HKS. The programme Visual CASTEM 2000 is used for the application of the finite element method with discontinuous elements, which are intended to simulate the presence of vertical and horizontal mortar joints. Finally, the UDEC software by the ITASCA Group is adopted for the Discrete Element modelling. An overview of such numerical methods, as well as a brief description of their specific theoretical aspects, is provided in order to allow easy comparison. Besides, ‘ready-to-use’ input parameter values, which are usually hard to decide, are suggested, basing both on extensive sensitivity analyses and experimental validation. Such values have proven to give reasonable results in the modelling of masonry structure under monotonously increasing loads, and for this reason can have practical usefulness.

Nonlinear Analysis Of Some Typical Elements Of ABasilica Plan Church

In this paper the strength and deformation capacity of the main structural elements of a basilica church are studied via static nonlinear analysis. In particular, the nave arcades, the cross section at the triumphal arch and the end wall of chancel are analysed through FEM, using the general purpose software program ABAQUS. The push-over analyses performed on the main structural elements of the church provide useful information on the non-linear behaviour, the stress pattern, the collapse mode and the ultimate strength. These information are particularly valuable since the structural schemes herein analysed are very repetitive within basilica type churches, which represent a large portion of the Italian cultural heritage. The results, in terms of ultimate loads, have been compared with the collapse loads obtained through the application of the limit analysis. This comparison has allowed to demonstrate the capacity of ABAQUS code to provide reliable results and to investigate on the effect of material properties on the ultimate capacity.