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Applied Sciences
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Seismic Analysis, Assessment, and Retrofit of Existing Masonry Constructions
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Seismic Analysis, Assessment, and Retrofit of Existing Masonry Constructions

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2022) | Viewed by 16028

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marco Francesco Funari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
ISISE, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: seismic assessment of historic masonry structures; dynamic of structures; scan to fem; composite structures; fracture mechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anjali Mehrotra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
Interests: earthquake engineering; structural dynamics; analytical and computational tools; masonry structures
Dr. Daniele Malomo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada
Interests: structural and earthquake engineering; numerical modeling; seismic risk assessment; existing and historic structures

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A considerable portion of the built environment is made of masonry. This includes both historical and modern structures erected using a number of different construction techniques and materials. Because of their longevity and the legacy they represent to the general public, masonry constructions (MC) are often imbued with significant historic and cultural value.

Nonetheless, MCs are susceptible to the effects of climate change, and are particularly vulnerable to a variety of different hazards and loading conditions, including wind, floods, and impacts from blasts and other impulsive loads. However, the main cause of damage to MCs is still earthquakes, historically responsible for relevant socio-economic losses in several regions all over the world, which are also steadily increasing as a result of induced seismicity phenomena.

Impressive advancements have been made in the last decade to investigate, assess, and improve the seismic response of MCs. Recent technological developments have enabled researchers to develop numerical and analytical models of increasing complexity, whose interaction with new digital representation and acquisition tools present new perspectives and challenges.

In this Special Issue, focused on the seismic analysis, assessment, and retrofit of existing masonry constructions, original research papers, case studies, and state-of-the-art reviews from both researchers and practitioners are welcome. Covered topics may include the application and development of numerical and analytical modelling strategies, risk assessment modelling, lessons learnt from post-earthquake observations and surveys, seismic retrofitting systems, experimental testing, in-situ material characterization, and insights from structural health monitoring activities.

We hope that this Special Issue will provide the scientific community with a thorough overview of the current research on this topic, while providing valuable insight for future research directions.

Dr. Marco Francesco Funari
Dr. Anjali Mehrotra
Dr. Daniele Malomo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • masonry
  • numerical modelling
  • analytical methods
  • risk assessment
  • post-earthquake observations and surveys
  • experimental testing
  • seismic retrofitting
  • in-situ material characterization

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 16473 KiB  
Article
Seismic Retrofit of Existing Structures Based on Digital Surveying, Non-Destructive Testing and Nonlinear Structural Analysis: The Case of Gjirokastra Castle in Albania
by Marieta Núñez García, Savvas Saloustros, Felix Mateos Redondo, José Alberto Alonso Campanero, Javier Ortega, Federica Greco, Chrysl Aranha and Irene Martínez Cuart
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(23), 12106; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122312106 - 26 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2535
Abstract
The present paper showcases the work carried out as part of the seismic retrofit of the Ottoman fortress of Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Albania. The need for strengthening and retrofitting the structure stems from the fact that it is [...] Read more.
The present paper showcases the work carried out as part of the seismic retrofit of the Ottoman fortress of Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Albania. The need for strengthening and retrofitting the structure stems from the fact that it is situated in a region of high seismicity and showed signs of structural distress at the time of investigation. The hill on which the castle is built also has stability issues. The seismic retrofit focused on a damaged stone masonry tower of the fortress and was designed following a comprehensive methodology for the inspection, diagnosis and geotechnical and structural analyses. Through the use of non-destructive tests, the existing soil conditions, the material properties and composition and the dynamic behaviour of the tower were assessed. Nonlinear finite element analysis was used to establish the cause of the existing damage and to determine the most effective strengthening solutions. The findings of the investigation revealed potential causes of the observed damage as well as the need to carry out retrofitting works at the tower beyond ground improvement solutions to bring the performance of the structure up to the code-specified level. This paper highlights the importance of planning and coordination between all the relevant disciplines involved in the project, so that apt inspection and diagnostic tools can be used to fill in the gaps where information is missing and to design optimal and integrated structural interventions in historic structures. Satisfactory seismic performance can be obtained by using a combination of retrofitting techniques, which specifically target the weak elements identified via the analyses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismic Analysis, Assessment, and Retrofit of Existing Masonry Constructions)
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22 pages, 8964 KiB  
Article
Lateral Capacity of URM Walls: A Parametric Study Using Macro and Micro Limit Analysis Predictions
by Simon Szabó, Marco Francesco Funari, Bora Pulatsu and Paulo B. Lourenço
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(21), 10834; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122110834 - 26 Oct 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1954
Abstract
This research investigates the texture influence of masonry walls’ lateral capacity by comparing analytical predictions performed via macro and micro limit analysis. In particular, the effect of regular and quasi-periodic bond types, namely Running, Flemish, and English, is investigated. A full factorial dataset [...] Read more.
This research investigates the texture influence of masonry walls’ lateral capacity by comparing analytical predictions performed via macro and micro limit analysis. In particular, the effect of regular and quasi-periodic bond types, namely Running, Flemish, and English, is investigated. A full factorial dataset involving 81 combinations is generated by varying geometrical (panel and block aspect ratio, bond type) and mechanical (friction coefficient) parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach is used to investigate one-way and two-way factor interactions for each parameter in order to assess how it affects the horizontal load multiplier. Macro and micro limit analysis predictions are compared, and the differences in terms of mass-proportional horizontal load multiplier and failure mechanism are critically discussed. Macro and micro limit analysis provide close results, demonstrating the reliability of such approaches. Furthermore, results underline how the panel and block aspect ratio had the most significant effect on both the mean values and scatter of results, while no significant effect could be attributed to the bond types. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismic Analysis, Assessment, and Retrofit of Existing Masonry Constructions)
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19 pages, 28514 KiB  
Article
Joint Stiffness Influence on the First-Order Seismic Capacity of Dry-Joint Masonry Structures: Numerical DEM Investigations
by Nathanaël Savalle, Paulo B. Lourenço and Gabriele Milani
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(4), 2108; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12042108 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2560
Abstract
Heritage masonry structures are often modelled as dry-jointed structures. On the one hand, it may correspond to the reality where the initial mortar was weak, missing, or has disappeared through time because of erosion and lixiviation. On the other hand, this modelling approach [...] Read more.
Heritage masonry structures are often modelled as dry-jointed structures. On the one hand, it may correspond to the reality where the initial mortar was weak, missing, or has disappeared through time because of erosion and lixiviation. On the other hand, this modelling approach reduces complexity to the studied problem, both from an experimental and theoretical/numerical point of views, while being conservative. Still, for modelling purposes, in addition to the joint friction, numerical approaches require a specific elastic parameter, the dry-joint stiffness, which is often hard to estimate experimentally. This work numerically investigates the effect of the joint stiffness on the collapse of scaled-down tilting test experiments carried out on perforated dry-joint masonry shear walls. It is found that geometrical imperfections of bricks and the absence of vertical precompression load can lead to very low equivalent dry-joint stiffness, which strongly affects the results, both in terms of collapse and damage limit state (DLS) loads, with practical implications for the engineering practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismic Analysis, Assessment, and Retrofit of Existing Masonry Constructions)
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26 pages, 43799 KiB  
Article
A FE-Based Macro-Element for the Assessment of Masonry Structures: Linear Static, Vibration, and Non-Linear Cyclic Analyses
by Luis C. M. da Silva and Gabriele Milani
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1248; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031248 - 25 Jan 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4824
Abstract
A Finite Element (FE) based macro–element is described for the mechanical response of masonry structures within different ranges of analysis. The macro–element is composed of discrete rigid quadrilateral FE plates whose adjoining interfaces are connected through FE trusses. It allows representing both elasticity [...] Read more.
A Finite Element (FE) based macro–element is described for the mechanical response of masonry structures within different ranges of analysis. The macro–element is composed of discrete rigid quadrilateral FE plates whose adjoining interfaces are connected through FE trusses. It allows representing both elasticity and strength orthotropy, full material nonlinearity and damage through a scalar–based model. The possibility of coupling with a so–called FE2 (multi–scale) strategy is also addressed. Validation of the macro–element is conducted within linear static, vibration, and cyclic (nonlinear) problems, in which both static and dynamic ranges are explored. Results are compared with those retrieved from traditional FE continuous models. Advantages are highlighted, as well as its robustness to cope with convergence issues and suitability to be applied within more general and larger–scale scenarios, such as the analysis of anisotropic materials subjected to static and dynamic loading. Formal details are given for its reproducibility by academics and practitioners—eventually within other FE platforms—as the improved running times may be of utmost importance in dynamic problems or highly nonlinear (material) quasi–static analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismic Analysis, Assessment, and Retrofit of Existing Masonry Constructions)
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16 pages, 4370 KiB  
Article
Seismic Fragility for a Masonry-Infilled RC (MIRC) Building Subjected to Liquefaction
by Davide Forcellini
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6117; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11136117 - 30 Jun 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2168
Abstract
Historical earthquakes have documented that lateral spread and settlements are the most significant damages induced by soil liquefaction. Therefore, assessing its effects on structural performance has become a fundamental issue in seismic engineering. In this regard, the paper proposes to develop analytical fragility [...] Read more.
Historical earthquakes have documented that lateral spread and settlements are the most significant damages induced by soil liquefaction. Therefore, assessing its effects on structural performance has become a fundamental issue in seismic engineering. In this regard, the paper proposes to develop analytical fragility curves of a Masonry-Infilled RC (MIRC) structure subjected to liquefaction-induced damages. In order to reproduce the nonlinear cyclic behavior (dilation tendency and the increase in cyclic shear strength) due to liquefaction, nonlinear hysteretic materials and advanced plasticity models were applied. The findings herein obtained in terms of seismic fragility of the MIRC building subjected to liquefaction may be implemented as guidelines or code provisions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismic Analysis, Assessment, and Retrofit of Existing Masonry Constructions)
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