Advanced Numerical Models for Seismic Evaluation of Masonry Heritage Monuments
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2019-11-12

The seismic assessment of masonry heritage monuments requires a combination of historical information, experimental tests, and numerical structural analysis. However, numerical modeling of masonry structures is a complex task due to the inhomogeneity, anisotropy and quasi-brittle behavior of masonry material. This paper presents the results of numerical studies conducted by a multidisciplinary research team for assessing the structural damage and seismic vulnerability of the Frigidarium of the Baths of Diocletian in Rome and of the Saint Peter Apostle church of Andahuaylillas, Cuzco. The analysis is performed via explicit nonlinear finite element modeling and rigid-body failure mechanism analysis. Concrete damaged plasticity formulation is adopted for representing the quasi-brittle behavior of masonry materials. The church of Andahuaylillas (late 16th or early 17th century) is a representative example of large colonial churches in the Andes, built primarily with adobe masonry and located in a region with high seismic hazard. Due to extensive damage of the triumphal arch, the present study is focused on assessing the lateral capacity of the arch under horizontal in-plane accelerations representing pushover conditions. Models are tested to evaluate how the arch, the tympanum, the lateral walls, and the building materials contribute to the lateral capacity. The Frigidarium of the Baths of Diocletian (298-306 AD) is one of the largest extant vaulted structures built with unreinforced pozzolanic concrete. The structural capacity of the Frigidarium to resist earthquake induced lateral accelerations is assessed by pushover analysis based on a 3D modified kinematic limit approach that takes into account compressive material strength.

Full title: Advanced Numerical Models for Seismic Evaluation of Masonry Heritage Monuments: The Case of Diocletian’s Frigidarium in Rome, and Andahuaylillas Church, Cuzco

(Renato Perucchio, Christopher Muir, Raphael Aguilar)