The decision to preserve a monument, the necessity and the extent of restoration or consolidation activities to be executed, is first taken by the possibility to guarantee the structural reliability of the monument. This research focuses on the development of a probabilistic method to evaluate the reliability of structural masonry elements. A graphical probability mapping is presented as an easy accessible, visual evaluation instrument in the restoration decision process. For the moment, the proposed methodology for the local probability of failure is illustrated on tested shear panels, reported in literature. First steps toward a global probability of failure are illustrated by means of the reliability analysis of the fa ade of the chapel of Sint-Amandus at Erembodegem.
Future research focuses on modeling the anisotropical material masonry with finite element methods.
This allows to develop integrated programs for the calculation of the structural reliability of masonry. The Reyntjens Laboratory studies different aspects of consolidation of masonry. Grout injection is often used as a consolidation technique for masonry. Therefore, a mathematical model is built to describe the penetration of the grout in masonry. The model will enable to optimize the injection holes pattern, the injection pressure, the composition of the grout with regard to the required rheological parameters and to predict the material cost and the result of the injection.