Title : EXPERIMENTAL TESTING AND NUMERICAL MODELLING OF MASONRY VAULTS
Authors : Paolo Girardello (1),Athanasios Pappas (1), Francesca da Porto (1) and Maria Rosa Valluzzi (2)
Publication : 13th – 16th February 2013
Volume :
Pages : 12-Jan
Price : 250
Abstract : Due to age or accidental causes, for instance seismic loads, vaults can suffer several types of damage. Therefore, intervention techniques and strengthening materials may be required in order to re-establish or improve their performance, thus preventing brittle collapse in hazardous conditions. In order to cope with this problem, compatible and minimally invasive strengthening techniques based on Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) and extrados stiffening diaphragms (?frenelli?) were developed. This paper discusses the results of an experimental campaign on full-scale masonry vaults, strengthened at the extrados with different composite materials, under the influence of monotonic and cyclic loads, applied at the quarter of the span. A series of 7 masonry vaults, replicates of historical construction, were built. On those specimens, six reinforced systems were tested: steel fibres and basalt net, applied with a lime mortar matrix (SRG and BTRM), steel reinforced polymer and carbon fibres reinforced polymer (SRP and CFRP), and extrados stiffening diaphragms reinforced with SRG and SRP. The experimental campaign consisted of comparing the mechanical behaviour up to failure of both unstrengthened and strengthened structures. A Discrete Element Model was also developed. In this paper, the primary dynamic test results and modelling assumptions are reported. Comparison between numerical and experimental results is discussed.