A numerical model for non-linear dynamic analysis of slender masonry structures

A numerical model is presented to enable performing non-linear dynamic analysis of slender masonry structures and elements, such as towers and columns or masonry walls in out-of-plane flexure. Such structures are represented via a continuous one-dimensional model. The main mechanical characteristics of the material in all sections along the height of such structures are taken into account by means of a non-linear elastic constitutive law formulated in terms of generalized stress and strain, under the assumption that the material has no resistance to tension and limited compressive strength. The relations defined herein for the general case of hollow rectangular cross-sections are also aimed at enabling study of towers, bell-towers and similar slender structures.     

A computational model for the limit analysis of three-dimensional masonry structures

This paper extends previous work on the limit analysis of ductile frames and plane masonry arches to the limit analysis of three-dimensional masonry structures. A lower-bound approach is developed which can handle three-dimensional collapse mechanisms involving any combination of sliding, twisting and hingeing at the block interfaces. A computer program for determining the collapse load of such structures is used to study (a) the equilibrium limits of a block with four contact points resting on an inclined plane and (b) the collapse of a semicircular arch of four blocks. The paper also describes experimental and computational work on a radially symmetric model dome of 380 blocks subject to foundation settlement.

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Sommario Il presentre contributo estende al campo delle structture tridimensionali in muratura un precedente lavoro sull'analisi limite di telai duttili ed archi in muratura piani. Si e' sviluppato un approccio statico che analizza meccanismi di collasso tridimensionale ottenuti per combinazione dei meccanismi semplici di scorrimento e rotazione nel piano e fuori dal piano delle superfici di interfaccia tra i blocchi. Si descrivono (a) i limiti di equilibrio di un blocco con 4 punti di contatto su base inclinata, (b) le condizioni di collasso di un arco semicircolare costituito da quattro blocchi, applicando un programma di calcolo redatto per l'analisi e la definizione del carico di collasso di tali strutture. La terza parte dell'articolo presenta il lavoro sperimentale e di calcolo sviluppato su un modello di cupola a simmetria radiale costituita da 380 blocchi soggetta a cedimenti fondali.

     

基于各向异性损伤本构模型的砌体结构抗震分析

进一步完善了应力张量的线性变换方法,并将其应用于砌体材料本构模型的开发。在整体式有限元模型中,因不区分砌块和砂浆而将其视为匀质的连续材料,难以用受拉和受压两个损伤变量准确描述灰缝的II型滑移破坏。为解决这一问题,提出应再引入一个针对II型滑移破坏的损伤变量。基于以上研究工作,对砌体结构的振动台试验进行了模拟。模拟结果进一步验证了本文提出的弹塑性损伤本构模型的有效性,以及在进行结构非线性分析方面的优越性。由于本文提出的本构模型能够较为真实地描述砌体墙的破坏模式,因此使用该模型进行结构非线性分析,除了能够获取结构的位移和应力等反应外,还能较为准确地实时提供结构中的损伤分布状态信息,找出结构的薄弱部位,并据此合理地设计结构或进行相应的结构修复。     

A homogenized viscoelastic model for masonry structures

A linear viscous model for evaluating the stresses and strains produced in masonry structures over time is presented. The model is based on rigorous homogenization procedures and the following two assumptions: that the structure is composed of either rigid or elastic blocks, and that the mortar is viscoelastic. The hypothesis of rigid block is particularly suitable for historical masonry, in which stone blocks may be assumed as rigid bodies, while the hypothesis of elastic blocks may be assumed for newly constructed brickwork structures. The hypothesis of viscoelastic mortar is based on the observation that non-linear phenomena may be concentrated in mortar joints. Under these assumptions, constitutive homogenized viscous functions are obtained in an analytical form.Some meaningful cases are discussed: masonry columns subject to minor and major eccentricity, and a masonry panel subject to both horizontal and vertical loads. The major eccentricity case is analysed taking into account both the effect of viscosity and the no-tension hypothesis, whereas the bi-dimensional loading case is analysed to verify the sensitivity of masonry behaviour to viscous function. In the masonry wall considered, the principal stresses are both of compression, and the no-tension assumption may therefore be discounted.     

A simple and effective nonlinear elastic one-dimensional model for the structural analysis of masonry arches

In this paper the static response of a masonry arch is studied by way of a one-dimensional nonlinear elastic model in which masonry is regarded as a material with bounded tensile and compressive strengths. By following an approach analogous to that followed in the theory of bending of elastic beams, the equilibrium problem for the arch leads to a free-boundary, nonlinear differential problem. An approximate solution to such problem can be pursued by means of an ad hoc iterative procedure, illustrated in detail herein. The results obtained in three case studies are compared with some numerical and experimental results available in the literature. In addition, the case of an actual arch undergoing spreading of the springings is considered, and the distribution and possible evolution of the cracking pattern discussed.     

A multi-scale enriched model for the analysis of masonry panels

A multi-scale model for the structural analysis of the in-plane response of masonry panels, characterized by periodic arrangement of bricks and mortar, is presented. The model is based on the use of two scales: at the macroscopic level the Cosserat micropolar continuum is adopted, while at the microscopic scale the classical Cauchy medium is employed. A nonlinear constitutive law is introduced at the microscopic level, which includes damage, friction, crushing and unilateral contact effects for the mortar joints. The nonlinear homogenization is performed employing the Transformation Field Analysis (TFA) technique, properly extended to the macroscopic Cosserat continuum. A numerical procedure is developed and implemented in a Finite Element (FE) code in order to analyze some interesting structural problems. In particular, four numerical applications are presented: the first one analyzes the response of the masonry Representative Volume Element (RVE) subjected to a cyclic loading history; in the other three applications, a comparison between the numerically evaluated response and the micromechanical or experimental one is performed for some masonry panels.     

基于模态柔度曲率的砖石古塔损伤识别研究

损伤识别是结构性能评估的有效途径之一,砖石古塔的模态柔度曲率是进行损伤识别的有效参数之一。为研究古塔结构损伤机制与模态柔度曲率的关系,依据兴教寺窥基塔结构模型振动台试验及数值模拟结果,分析周期性荷载作用下塔体动力响应及破坏特征,建立了塔体损伤程度与模态参数的关系模型。结果表明,古塔结构开裂破坏后,刚度减小,模态柔度曲率增大;数值计算与试验测试所得加速度及频域响应规律一致,塔体模型结构试件的开裂损伤随加载工况增多而持续累积,加载前期损伤参数变化缓慢,而后保持稳定,试验及模拟所得塔体的破坏过程一致。因此,塔体模态柔度曲率变化与古塔结构损伤累积具有一致性,可用于有效可靠识别砖石古塔结构损伤识别。     

New trends in the analysis of masonry structures

The modern theory of masonry structures has been set up on the hypothesis of no-tension behaviour, with the aim of offering a reference model, independent of materials and building techniques employed. This hypothesis gives rise to inequalities which have to be satisfied by the stress tensor components and, as a dual aspect, to the kinematic behaviour characteristics of media which can be classified as lying between solids and fluids: the structure of the masonry material consists of particles reacting elastically only when in contact. An examination of the plane-stress problem leads us to define, within the prescribed domain under admissible loads, three different subdomains with null, regular, or non-regular principal stress tensors, respectively. As the boundaries of such subdomains are not known a priori, the problem can be classified as a free boundary value problem. The analysis concerns mainly the subdomains where the stress tensor is non-regular; and a non-regularity condition det =0 is added to the equilibrium equations. This condition makes the stress problem isostatic and leads to a violation of Saint-Venant's compliance conditions on strains. Hence there is a need to introduce a strain tensor, not related to the stress tensor, which can be decomposed into an extensional component and a shearing component; we prove that such strains, of the class ^c, are similar to those of the theory of plastic flow. From the point of view of computational analysis the anelastic strains are considered as given distortions; they are computed by means of the Haar-Kármán principle, modified for computational purposes by an idea of Prager and Hodge.

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Sommario La moderna teoria delle strutture murarie, fondata sulla rigorosa non reagenza a trazione del materiale, ha lo scopo di fornire un modello di riferimento indipendente sia dalle caratteristiche del materiale sia dalle techniche costruttive impiegate. L'ipotesi di non reagenza a trazione si traduce in disuguaglianze che le componenti del tensore di stress devono verificare; dualmente il comportamento caratteristico cinematico può esser classificato di confine, come del resto la stessa statica, tra solidi e fluidi: la struttura ipotizzata del materiale muratura consiste di particelle che reagiscono solo se sono in contatto. L'esame del problema piano porta a definire all'interno del dominio di definizione tre differenti tipi di sub-regioni in cui lo stress è nullo, canonico, o singolare. Poiché le frontiere di queste sub-regioni non sono note a priori il problema può anche essere classificato di frontiera libera. L'analisi concerne fondamentalmente la sub-regione in cui il tensore è non regolare, perché deve verificare anche la condizione det =0. Ciò rende isostatico il problema e conduce anche alla violazione della condizione di integrabilità delle deformazioni. Questo passaggio può essere superato introducendo un tensore di deformazioni a tensioni nulle che si può decomporre in una componente estensionale ed in una componente di scorrimento; si dimostra che queste deformazioni sono equivalenti a quelle che intervengono nella Teoria del flusso plastico. Dal punto di vista computazionale le deformazioni anelastiche sono considerate come distorsioni impresse determinate attraverso il principio di Haar-Kármán modificato, per le techniche computazionali, su idee di Prager e Hodge.

     

Homogenization towards a mechanistic Rigid Body and Spring Model (HRBSM) for the non-linear dynamic analysis of 3D masonry structures

A mechanistic model with rigid elements and interfaces suitable for the non-linear dynamic analysis of full scale 3D masonry buildings is presented. The model relies into two steps: in the first step, a simplified homogenization is performed at the meso-scale to deduce the mechanical properties of a macroscopic material, to be used in structural applications; the second step relies into the implementation of a Rigid Body and Spring Model (RBSM) constituted by rigid elements linked with homogenized interfaces. In the homogenization step, a running bond elementary cell is discretized with 24 three-node plane-stress elastic triangular elements and non-linear interfaces representing mortar joints. It is shown how the mechanical problem in the unit cell is characterized by few displacement variables and how homogenized stress–strain curves can be evaluated by means of a semi-analytical approach. The second step relies on the implementation of the homogenized curves into a RBSM, where an entire masonry structure can be analyzed in the non-linear dynamic range through a discretization with rigid elements and inelastic interfaces. Non-linear structural analyses are conducted on a church façade interconnected with a portion of the perpendicular walls and on a small masonry building, for which experimental and numerical data are available in the literature, in order to show how quite reliable results may be obtained with a limited computational effort.     

A micro-mechanical model for the homogenisation of masonry

Masonry is a composite material made of units (brick, blocks, etc.) and mortar. For periodic arrangements of the units, the homogenisation techniques represent a powerful tool for structural analysis. The main problem pending is the errors introduced in the homogenisation process when large difference in stiffness are expected for the two components. This issue is obvious in the case of non-linear analysis, where the tangent stiffness of one component or the tangent stiffness of the two components tends to zero with increasing inelastic behaviour.The paper itself does not concentrate on the issue of non-linear homogenisation. But as the accuracy of the model is assessed for an increasing ratio between the stiffness of the two components, the benefits of adopting the proposed method for non-linear analysis are demonstrated. Therefore, the proposed model represents a major step in the application of homogenisation techniques for masonry structures.The micro-mechanical model presented has been derived from the actual deformations of the basic cell and includes additional internal deformation modes, with regard to the standard two-step homogenisation procedure. These mechanisms, which result from the staggered alignment of the units in the composite, are of capital importance for the global response. For the proposed model, it is shown that, up to a stiffness ratio of one thousand, the maximum error in the calculation of the homogenised Young's moduli is lower than five percent. It is also shown that the anisotropic failure surface obtained from the homogenised model seems to represent well experimental results available in the literature.     

A simple model of the double cantilever beam crack propagation specimen

A very simple model of the double cantilever beam (dcb) dynamic crack propagation specimen is studied. The main assumption on which the model is based is that the arms of the dcb specimen deform as shear beams. The particular problem studied is the dynamic growth of a sharp crack from a blunt pre-crack with the ends of the specimen arms held at a fixed separation distance. It is demonstrated that this simple model predicts crack motion which is qualitatively consistent with the results of more detailed numerical analyses of the problem and with experimental results. The analysis employs an energy balance crack propagation criterion and both constant specific fracture energy and a class of crack speed dependent fracture energies are considered. Among the features exhibited by the model is that, for constant specific fracture energy, the crack tip speed is constant from initiation up to arrest. On the other hand, for the same geometry and loading conditions, but a strongly crack speed dependent specific fracture energy, the crack speed decreases gradually between fracture initiation and crack arrest.     

Nonlinear finite element analysis of no-tension masonry structures

A numerical approach for structural analysis of masonry walls in plane stress conditions is presented. The assumption of a perfectly no-tension material (NTM) constitutive model, whose relevant equations are in the form of classical rate-independent associated flow laws of elastoplastic material, allows one to adopt numerical procedures commonly used in computational plasticity. An accuracy analysis on the integration algorithm employed in the solution of constitutive relations has been carried out. The results obtained for some relevant case-studies and their comparison with data, available in the literature show the effectiveness of the proposed method.

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Sommario Si presenta un approccio numerico per l'analisi strutturale di pareti in muratura in stato piano di tensione. L'assunzione di un modello costitutivo per materiale perfettamente non resistente a trazione (NTM), le cui equazioni sono esprimibili nella classica forma incrementale delle leggi dello scorrimento plastico di tipo associato per materiali elastoplastici, consente di adottare procedure numeriche comunemente utilizzate in plasticità computazionale. Si conduce un'analisi di accuratezza dell'algoritmo utilizzato nell'integrazione delle equazioni costitutive del modello esaminato. I risultati ottenuti per alcuni casi analizzati ed il confronto effettuato con esempi riportati in letteratura mostrano l'efficienza dell'approccio proposto.

     

Limit analysis of masonry structures with free discontinuities

We formulate a novel procedure for the limit analysis of two-dimensional masonry structures subject to arbitrary loading conditions. The proposed approach works in the framework of free discontinuity methods, on examining collapse mechanisms that exhibit free crack opening discontinuities. The load bearing capacity and the collapse mechanism of the structure are obtained through a fully variational approach, by minimizing a kinetic functional that admits the collapse crack pattern as a variable. Numerical examples illustrate the practical application of the proposed procedure to the limit analysis of a variety of masonry walls and arches subject to foundation settlements, vertical and horizontal forces.     

A simple heat transfer model for furnaces based on the zoning method

A simplified method for calculation of the radiative heat transfer in furnaces with rectangular crosssection based on the zoning method has been developed. The furnace is divided longitudinally into chambers. The net radiative intensity between any two chambers is considered to be independent of the angle. The chambers are also coupled by the gas mass flow.     

A model technique for analysis of nonlinear structures

Analysis of structural systems which display geometrical nonlinearity may be carried out in some cases with the aid of a digital computer. Convergence of numerical computations is, however, not always assured, and the computer time required is usually a multiple of the time needed for linear analysis. An experimental method to determine stress resultants and displacements, by taking into account geometrical nonlinearity, is suggested. The method consists of loading a model in two stages. First, a fraction of the dead and live loads is applied such that the displacements of the system remain small and its behavior may be considered as linear. Then, the model is loaded with its full dead and live loads under which it displays its real, nonlinear behavior. Strains and displacements are recorded for both cases. By comparing the two readings, that is, by dividing the second readings by the first ones, the nonlinearity of the system is determined. The method is suggested for every project in which nonlinear behavior may be a significant factor.     

Multi-frequency analysis of the double circular plate system non-linear dynamics

This paper presents a multi-frequency analysis of non-linear dynamics in a double circular plate system. The original series of the amplitude–frequency and phase–frequency graphs as well as eigen forced time functions–frequency graphs are obtained and analyzed for stationary resonant states. The series of the frequency characteristic of the forced time non-linear harmonics are presented first. The analyses identify the presence of singularities and triggers of coupled singularities, as well as resonant jumps.     

A kinematic FE limit analysis model for thick English bond masonry walls

Two-wythes masonry walls arranged in English bond texture were often used in the past as bearing panels in seismic area. On the other hand, earthquake surveys have demonstrated that masonry strength under horizontal actions is usually insufficient, causing premature collapses of masonry buildings, often ascribed to out-of-plane actions. Furthermore, many codes of practice impose for new brickwork walls a minimal slenderness, which for instance is fixed by the Italian O.P.C.M. 3431 equal to 12 for artificial bricks and 10 for natural blocks masonry.For the above reasons, the analysis at failure of English bond brickwork walls under out-of-plane actions is a topic that deserves consideration, despite the fact that almost the totality of the studies of masonry at failure is devoted to running bond arrangements. Furthermore, it must be noted that an approach based on the analysis of running bond texture – in comparison with English bond pattern – is not suitable for the investigation of the behavior of bearing panels.In this framework, in the present paper, a Reissner–Mindlin kinematic limit analysis approach is presented for the derivation of the macroscopic failure surfaces of two-wythes masonry arranged in English bond texture. In particular, the behavior of a 3D system constituted by infinitely resistant bricks connected by joints reduced to interfaces with frictional behavior and limited tensile/compressive strength is identified with a 2D Reissner–Mindlin plate. In this way, assuming both an associated flow rule for the constituent materials and a finite subclass of possible deformation modes, an upper bound approximation of macroscopic English bond masonry failure surfaces is obtained as a function of macroscopic bending moments, torsion and shear forces.Several examples of technical relevance are treated both at a cell level and at a structural level, addressing the differences in terms of collapse loads and failure surfaces due to different textures and constituent laws for joints. Finally, two meaningful structural examples consisting of a panel in cylindrical flexion and a masonry slab constrained at three edges and out-of-plane loaded are discussed. A detailed comparison in terms of deformed shapes at collapse and failure loads between a 2D FE Reissner–Mindlin limit analysis approach and a full 3D heterogeneous FE model shows the reliability of the results obtained using the kinematic identification approach proposed.