Abstract
The behaviour of dry-joint masonry arch structures is highly nonlinear and discontinuous since they are composed of individual discrete blocks. These structures are vulnerable to seismic excitations. It is difficult for traditional methods like the standard finite element method (FEM) to simulate masonry failure due to their intrinsic limitations. An advanced computational approach, i.e., the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM), was employed in this study to examine the first-order seismic capacity of masonry arches and buttressed arches with different shapes subjected to gravity and constant horizontal acceleration. Within the framework of the FDEM, masonry blocks are discretised into discrete elements. A finite element formulation is implemented into each discrete element, providing accurate predictions of the deformation of each block and contact interactions between blocks. Numerical examples are presented and validated with results from the existing literature, demonstrating that the FDEM is capable of capturing the seismic capacities and hinge locations of masonry arch structures. Further simulations on geometric parameters and friction coefficient of masonry buttressed arches were conducted, and their influences on the seismic capacities are revealed.
Highlights
Masonry arches have been the traditional forms of architectural heritages and historical constructions for a long time
Masonry arch structures are vulnerable to seismic excitations
Regarding the finite-discrete element method (FDEM) applications on masonry, Smoljanović et al [37,38,39,40] analysed the static and dynamic behaviour of both dry-stone and mortared masonry structures subjected to different loads
Summary
Masonry arches have been the traditional forms of architectural heritages and historical constructions for a long time. The FEM and the DEM mentioned above, other methods like the two-step procedure [23] have been employed in analyses of the seismic capacity of masonry structures in general. Regarding the FDEM applications on masonry, Smoljanović et al [37,38,39,40] analysed the static and dynamic behaviour of both dry-stone and mortared masonry structures subjected to different loads. The FDEM has been employed to study the collapse of masonry arch structures subjected to base impulses [42] and support spreading [43], as well as the failure of masonry walls under uneven support settlements [44]. The failure of masonry arch structures is a
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