The paper concisely reviews the available numerical methods to analyze masonry vaults up to collapse, putting in evidence pros and limitations of each approach. To be reliable, any procedure adopted should take into account the distinctive aspects of masonry mechanical behavior, namely the scarce (or zero) tensile strength, the good compressive resistance and the observed formation of failure mechanisms constituted by rigid macro-blocks in mutual roto-translation. Classic no-tension material models disregard the little but not null tensile strength and make the hypothesis of (1) infinitely elastic behavior in compression and (2) isotropy, giving thus the possibility to deal with either semi-analytical approaches (especially for arches) or robust numerical procedures. More advanced but rather complex models are nowadays able to deal also with anisotropy induced by texture, little tensile strength and softening in tension, as well as finite strength in compression. Traditionally, limit analysis has proven to be the most effective for a fast and reliable evaluation of the load carrying capacity of vaulted masonry structures. Classic lower and upper bound theorems recall respectively the concepts of equilibrium and formation of failure mechanisms with rigid elements. The so-called Thrust Network Method moves its steps from lower bound theorem, whereas FE limit analysis approaches with rigid elements take inspiration from the upper bound point of view. An alternative to limit analysis is represented by traditional FEM combined with either elasto-plastic or damaging models with softening, usually adapted to masonry from other materials, which are capable of providing a large set of output numerical information but that still remain very demanding.
Computational Methods for Masonry Vaults: A Review of Recent Results
TRALLI, Antonio Michele;ALESSANDRI, Claudio;
2014
Abstract
The paper concisely reviews the available numerical methods to analyze masonry vaults up to collapse, putting in evidence pros and limitations of each approach. To be reliable, any procedure adopted should take into account the distinctive aspects of masonry mechanical behavior, namely the scarce (or zero) tensile strength, the good compressive resistance and the observed formation of failure mechanisms constituted by rigid macro-blocks in mutual roto-translation. Classic no-tension material models disregard the little but not null tensile strength and make the hypothesis of (1) infinitely elastic behavior in compression and (2) isotropy, giving thus the possibility to deal with either semi-analytical approaches (especially for arches) or robust numerical procedures. More advanced but rather complex models are nowadays able to deal also with anisotropy induced by texture, little tensile strength and softening in tension, as well as finite strength in compression. Traditionally, limit analysis has proven to be the most effective for a fast and reliable evaluation of the load carrying capacity of vaulted masonry structures. Classic lower and upper bound theorems recall respectively the concepts of equilibrium and formation of failure mechanisms with rigid elements. The so-called Thrust Network Method moves its steps from lower bound theorem, whereas FE limit analysis approaches with rigid elements take inspiration from the upper bound point of view. An alternative to limit analysis is represented by traditional FEM combined with either elasto-plastic or damaging models with softening, usually adapted to masonry from other materials, which are capable of providing a large set of output numerical information but that still remain very demanding.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
