Validation of Simplified Micro-models for the Static Analysis of Masonry Arches and Vaults

ABSTRACT

Compared to simple masonry walls, numerical modelling of masonry vaulted structures is particularly complex due to their three-dimensional curved geometry and articulated masonry pattern. Moreover, the scarce availability of experimental data makes it difficult to validate numerical models for these types of structures. Recently, the simplified micro-modelling approach has been applied by different authors, despite some intrinsic limits, such as huge numerical effort and adoption of ad-hoc written numerical codes. The aim of this study is to overcome these difficulties by using a commercial software with built-in friction interface models and to validate the proposed simplified-micro model through experimental tests on in-scale specimens of arch and cross vault. The proposed approach has shown promising features: experimental results have been numerically reproduced with a high degree of accuracy, both in case of planar and space structures, with both dry and mortar joints. The final result of the study is a validated modelling strategy that could be confidently applied to real masonry vaulted structures.

KEYWORDS:

• Arch
• cross vault
• finite element models
• in-scale models
• masonry
• simplified micro-modelling

Acknowledgments

The authors are extremely grateful to A.M. D’Altri for fruitful discussion about numerical issues and for having shared his expertise in the definition of numerical parameters for implicit dynamic analysis with Abaqus.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.