Finite Element Modelling for Seismic Performance Assessment of Structural Interventions on Dry Stone Monuments

ABSTACT

The dynamic behaviour of dry stone monuments is highly nonlinear as it involves rocking and slippage of numerous blocks, and occasionally cracking of blocks and plastic deformation of metal connectors. This is why the assessment of the efficiency of structural interventions (for restoration purposes) on such monuments located in seismic areas is a very complicated task. One way to address this issue is nonlinear dynamic numerical analysis in which material nonlinearity is taken into account for each component of the structure (blocks, connectors). This paper advocates that this is the way by which the most accurate results are to be expected, provided that all models are sufficiently validated. With this aim, such a holistic numerical approach is presented, regarding the assessment of the seismic performance of new titanium connectors designed for the architrave of an ancient-Greek temple, currently under restoration. The monument is the temple of Apollo Epikourios at Bassai, Peloponnese, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1986. The numerical analyses, in overall, showed a way of using a sophisticated FE software for the design or the evaluation of one of the most common structural interventions on dry stone monuments (the replacement of the ancient connectors of the stone blocks with new elements made of titanium), as well as they demonstrated the key benefits of this use (global overview, detailed analysis, and easiness in conducting parametric investigations). Furthermore, they yielded quantitative information concerning the efficiency of a major intervention on an important ancient temple.

KEYWORDS:

• Restoration
• ancient colonnade
• titanium connectors
• earthquake response
• material nonlinearity

Acknowledgments

The suggestions of the anonymous reviewer helped improve this article and are appreciated.