Machine learning-based identification of vulnerability factors for masonry buildings in aggregate: The historicalcentre of casentino hit by the 2009 l'aquila earthquake

Seismic events in Italy and worldwide have highlighted the high vulnerability of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures in small historical centres. A key feature of these settlements is to be mostly composed of buildings in aggregate, i.e., interconnected by a more or less structurally effective connection. The seismic assessment of such...

3D numerical analysis of tunnelling induced damage: The influence of the alignment of a masonry building with the tunnel axis

The development of infrastructure in major cities often involves tunnelling, which can cause damage to existing structures. Therefore, these projects require a careful prediction of the risk of settlement induced damage. The simplified approach of current methods cannot account for three-dimensional structural aspects of buildings, which can...

Modelling crack initiation and propagation in masonry using the partition of unity method

A mesoscopic masonry model is presented using the partition of unity finite element method. Joints are only explicitly introduced when a critical stress state is exceeded, resulting in a computationally more efficient procedure when compared to models in which all joints are a priori active. The performance of the presented model is demonstrated...

Confusing cracks and difficult deformations: Interpreting structural damage in masonry

Cracks and deformatiçns in masonry are common phenomena in historical buildings. If they are interpreted correctly, they can be an extremely valuable source çf informatiçn on the load history of the premises. Nevertheless, this interpretation is not always as obvious as one may think. In the framework of a Phd research project, an extensive...

Finite element analyses help develop a diagnostic aid for masonry

Circumventing bifurcations in structural softening

Three-dimensional modelling of masonry using the partition of unity method

This paper uses the Generalized Finite Element method for the introduction of the cohesive joint behaviour to model masonry. Cracked joints are modelled as displacement discontinuities and are introduced in the finite element model by additional degrees of freedom. These degrees of freedom are activated when the stress state in the joint reaches...

Modeling of long-term deformations and damage accumulation in masonry