Influence of Fluid–Structure Interaction on Seismic Performance Improvement of Historical Masonry Aqueducts

ABSTRACT

Historical masonry aqueducts were constructed to convey water over rivers, valleys, etc. Many of them have deteriorated due to different effects and may need to be repaired or strengthened to increase their load carrying capacities. Historical aqueducts are invaluable cultural heritage, and they require particular attention and appropriate seismic strengthening techniques including minimal intervention, better workability and reduced cost. The present study proposes filling the canal with water to improve structural seismic performance of historical masonry aqueducts. The influence of fluid–structure interaction in seismic performance improvement of historical masonry aqueducts is numerically investigated in this study. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element models of an aqueduct including without and with fluid–structure interaction are created using the coupled acoustic fluid–structure (CAS) approach. Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) material model adjusted to masonry units and ground motion records matched to site-dependent are utilized in the nonlinear seismic analyses. Seismic performances of the aqueduct models with and without fluid–structure interaction for the only-transverse, combined transverse and longitudinal, and combined transverse and longitudinal and vertical component cases are evaluated and compared with each other.

KEYWORDS:

• Earthquake response
• fluid-structure interaction
• masonry aqueducts
• masonry arches
• nonlinear seismic analysis
• strengthening techniques

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).