Diagram based assessment strategy for first-order analysis of masonry arches

Abstract

Efficiency in structural analysis is economically paramount. First-order assessment strategies play a vital role in establishing this efficiency. Structural masonry has the potential to be an advantageous structural system, but its analysis must be efficient. Utilizing the traditional assumptions of masonry, an equilibrium approach to the kinematic method of limit analyses, and an innovative visualization technique, collapse load diagrams (CLDs) are developed. First the limit analysis method is presented, and its ability to interact with AutoCAD® is discussed. The iterative algorithm for the CLD is developed and applied to a semi-circular arch subjected to an asymmetric point load and constant horizontal acceleration loading conditions. Lastly, a geometric data extraction technique is utilized to create CLDs for two double curvature AutoCAD® drawn arches and used to compare their first-order assessments and establish equivalent capacities.