The paper presents a study on the existing low-rise unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings constructed in the period from 1945 to 1980 in Serbia and neighbouring countries in the Balkans. Buildings of this typology experienced damage in a few earthquak...
This paper presents research concerning the numerical simulation of existing masonry buildings when subjected to pushover analysis. A nonlinear static analysis is undertaken using the commercial software ABAQUS standard, in which masonry structures a...
Rehabilitation, strengthening, and retrofitting of existing masonry buildings represent an important challenge for the construction engineering field. Often, slab strengthening/retrofitting is performed by replacing existing timber and steel beams or...
The assessment of seismic performance of existing masonry structures is a key aspect for the risk mitigation strategies of existing buildings and preservation of historical heritage. The increasing availability of modelling approaches for the assessm...
One of the options for rehabilitating existing masonry buildings is a post-tensioning of masonry. The deformation properties of the masonry in the direction parallel to bed joints are essential for the design of a suitable value of the applied force....
Taking into consideration the seismic vulnerability of older buildings and the increasing need for reducing their carbon footprint and energy consumption, the application of an innovative system is investigated; the system is based on the use of text...
Given the increasing demand for higher construction productivity and better thermal resistance, adopting innovative building envelope systems is crucial. Dry-stack masonry blocks have emerged as a viable solution, due to their rapid assembly, mortar-...
This paper focuses on the so-called “flange effect” in unreinforced masonry buildings when the connection among walls is good, thus forming a 3D assembly of intersecting piers (with L-, C-, T-, or I-shaped cross-sections). Given the direc...
This research presents a comprehensive nonlinear quasi-static seismic assessment of an unreinforced rubble masonry building, Bytown Museum in Ottawa, Canada, using discontinuum-based analyses. In the proposed modeling approach, non-uniform geometrica...
Due to their porous nature, lightweight aggregates have been shown to exhibit thermal properties that are advantageous when used in building materials such as lightweight concrete, grout, mortar, and concrete masonry units. Limited data exist on the...
Local collapse mechanisms related to the out-of-plane response of walls are commonly observed in existing masonry buildings subjected to earthquakes. In such structures, the lack of proper connections among orthogonal walls and between walls and floo...
A refined design procedure for the seismic retrofit of warehouses or, more generally, single-storey RC frames bounded by “drift-sensitive” masonry infills and glazed curtain walls, is proposed in this paper by means of hysteretic braces....
This paper presents a study on the suitability and accuracy of detecting structural cracks in brick masonry by exploiting the breakage of ordinary silica optical fibers bonded to its surface with an epoxy adhesive. The deformations and cracking of th...
This paper summarizes simple and practically attractive new methodologies based on validated and optimized strategies for preserving historical heritage towards natural or anthropic risks in order to assist public administrations and stakeholders inv...
Non-structural masonry partition walls, which are mainly designed to functionally separate spaces in the buildings and provide physical barriers between rooms, were traditionally built from either solid or hollow clay units or autoclaved aerated conc...
The effects of seismic actions on reinforced concrete (RC) structures are strongly influenced by the dynamic behavior of their materials. It is crucial to find a simple definition of the natural frequencies of reinforced concrete buildings, particula...
Old masonry buildings, which are frequently part of the cities-built heritage, are vulnerable to seismic actions. Thus, it is important to conduct efficient seismic strengthening interventions that allow maintenance of the existing building to minimi...
This work proposes an innovative integrated retrofitting system aiming to improve both the seismic and energy performance of existing reinforced concrete and masonry buildings. The system is based on engineered insulating concrete form panels, instal...
CO2 emissions due to the construction sector represent 40% of the total, either directly by the use of the building or indirectly by the emissions incorporated in construction materials and products. It is important to achieve a change in this sector...
Aggregate masonry buildings in historic urban centers constitute tangible testimony of collective identity and historical continuity. They encompass both simple terraced configurations and more intricate clusters, which are inherently vulnerable to e...
Contemporary stabilized rammed earth (SRE) draws upon traditional rammed earth (RE) methods and materials, often incorporating reinforcing steel and rigid insulation, enhancing the structural and energy performance of the walls while satisfying build...
Masonry systems have been used extensively in historical, commercial, and residential buildings. A large number of experimental and computational studies have been conducted to investigate the behavior of masonry components and systems, including mor...
The study of the mechanical behavior of building stones is traditionally supported by destructive compression tests carried out on representative specimens. However, in order to respect the monuments’ integrity, the study of the mechanical beha...
A new macro model for the finite element modeling of unreinforced masonry (URM) exhibiting in-plane nonlinear cyclic behavior is proposed. The ultimate objective is to predict the seismic response of multi-story URM buildings. The macro model enables...
Heritage structures built in the 19th and 20th centuries in the western part of Romania are marked by the significant aesthetic influence of the Austro-Hungarian empire, with highly decorated façades facing the street and rather more simple su...
Gönpa Gang is an example of the traditional Buddhist architecture of Upper Mustang. It is also the first monument in Upper Mustang to be studied using the dendrochronological dating method. The gönpa is a two-story building of imposing size...
The growing attention to sustainability and life cycle issues by European and international policies has recently encouraged the adoption, in the construction sector, of environmental labels able to quantify the impacts on environment associated with...
The behaviour of horizontal floor diaphragms plays a crucial role in ensuring the overall response of a building during earthquakes, as the stiffness of these diaphragms determines whether the structure will act as an integrated system. If the diaphr...
The high seismic vulnerability of unreinforced masonry buildings urgently calls for researchers to develop sustainable reinforcing methods and materials. This paper presents an innovative lime-based mortar reinforced with randomly oriented basalt fib...