Numerical methods for understanding & quantifying crack propagation in complex masonry constructions
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2019-11-09

Before employing structural health monitoring systems or reinforcements on a heritage structure with known cracks, it is imperative to understand how the cracking patterns originated and how they affect the current capacity of the structure. This work outlines a mixed numerical approach for understanding the underlying causes of masonry cracking and the resulting effects on structural performance. By combining Finite Element Modeling (FEM) and Distinct Element Modeling (DEM), the structural response of an undamaged version of a building can be calculated for a combination of loading scenarios. The results of the loading simulations can be compared to the present state of the building for a probabilistic understanding of possible causes. This combined approach was used to examine the crack propagation in various historical structures such as the Baptistery of San Giovanni and Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Both structures are masonry construction and cracks have been identified through visual inspection and thermal scanning. Several combinations of loading scenarios were run for pre-crack models of the structures. The results of the simulations were compared to the current state of the structures to assess the viability of the approach. Additionally, numerical analysis of the structures in their current state were performed. This aided in assessing the effects imposed by the existing crack pattern to their performance.

(Rebecca Napolitano, Michael Hess, Rachel Coe-Scharff, Branko Glisic)