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Nonlinear finite and discrete element simulations of multi-storey masonry walls

  • S.I. : URM nonlinear modelling - Benchmark project
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Abstract

This paper reports the results of different finite and discrete element simulations on a well-known benchmark of an unreinforced plane masonry structure. Namely, the case study concerns a five floor structural wall, located at the interior of a masonry building, situated in “via Martoglio” in the city of Catania (Italy). The numerical simulations aim to investigate the structural response of the wall subjected to seismic actions by means of a non-linear static analyses. The role of reinforced concrete floor beams within URM walls, their influence on the spandrel elements capacity and the approximation that can affect the model, if the concrete beam non linearity is not engaged, are considered. The benchmark is investigated considering three different structural layouts that have been analysed by means of four numerical approaches. The modelling strategies that have been considered are adaptive NURBS kinematic limit analysis, planar discrete macroelements DME, continuum nonlinear FEM methods and a nonlinear FEM micro-modelling. The results are compared in terms of capacity curves and damage mechanism for each structural layout. As a result, pushover curves and damage patterns appear considerably influenced by the concrete floor beams and their mechanical behaviour. All the considered models denote satisfactory agreement in term of strength and collapse mechanisms, some minor differences are observed in terms of global ductility.

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Acknowledgements

The study presented in the paper was developed within the research activities carried out in the frame of the 2014-2018 ReLUIS Project (Topic: Masonry Structures; Coord. Proff. Sergio Lagomarsino, Guido Magenes, Claudio Modena, Francesca da Porto) and of the 2019-2021 ReLUIS Project—WP10 "Code contributions relating to existing masonry structures" (Coord. Guido Magenes). The projects are funded by the Italian Department of Civil Protection. Moreover, the Authors acknowledge the whole group of research teams (RT) that participated to this research activity: UniGE RT (University of Genova; Coord. Prof. Serena Cattari; Participants: Stefania Degli Abbati, Daria Ottonelli); UniPV RT (University of Pavia: Coord. Guido Magenes, Participants: Carlo Manzini, Paolo Morandi); UniCH RT (University of Chieti-Pescara; Coord. Prof. Guido Camata, Participants: Corrado Marano); UniCT RT (University of Catania–Coord. Prof. Ivo Caliò; Participants: Francesco Canizzaro, Giuseppe Occhipinti, Bartolomeo Pantò); UniNA RT (University Federico II of Naples– Coord. Prof. Bruno Calderoni; Participants: Emilia Angela Cordasco); UniBO RT (University of Bologna- Coord. Prof. Stefano de Miranda – Participants: Giovanni Castellazzi, Antonio Maria D’Altri); POLIMI RT (Polytechnic of Milan- Coord. Prof. Gabriele Milani); IUAV RT (University of Venice—Coord. Prof. Anna Saetta; Participants: Luisa Berto, Diego Alejandro Talledo).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering (IGAG), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy

    Giuseppe Occhipinti

  2. Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 64, 95123, Catania, Italy

    Ivo Caliò

  3. Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, Italy

    Antonio Maria D’Altri & Stefano de Miranda

  4. Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Technical University of Milan, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Nicola Grillanda & Gabriele Milani

  5. Department of Engineering and Geology, University G. D’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Pescara, Italy

    Enrico Spacone

Authors
  1. Giuseppe Occhipinti
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  2. Ivo Caliò
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  3. Antonio Maria D’Altri
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  4. Nicola Grillanda
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  5. Stefano de Miranda
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  6. Gabriele Milani
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  7. Enrico Spacone
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Correspondence to Giuseppe Occhipinti.

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Occhipinti, G., Caliò, I., D’Altri, A.M. et al. Nonlinear finite and discrete element simulations of multi-storey masonry walls. Bull Earthquake Eng 20, 2219–2244 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-021-01233-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-021-01233-7

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