Finite Element Analysis of the Parthenon marble block- steel clamp system response under acceleration

Zacharias Vangelatos,Michail Delagrammatikas,Panayota Vassiliou,Charalampos Titakis,Olga Papadopoulou

doi:10.21014/acta_imeko.v10i1.884

Zacharias Vangelatos, Michail Delagrammatikas + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21014/acta_imeko.v10i1.884

Copy DOI

Abstract

<p class="Abstract">Finite element analysis is employed to investigate the mechanical behaviour and failure scenarios of the marble block–steel clamp ancient masonry system utilised in the Parthenon (Athens Acropolis) under static loading analysis. The input data for the model are acquired by the laboratory testing of early 20th century restoration steel clamps, such as through tensile strength measurements and metallography, as well as bibliographic sources from various scientific fields (i.e. material properties, archaeometry, restoration, structural engineering and geology). Two different embedding materials (Portland cement mortar and lead), used for the nesting of the clamps, are examined under bending or stretching, induced by acceleration forces. The conservation status of the materials is taken into account by employing an intrinsic stress, as is the case when corrosion products build up in a confined space. The aim of this work is to provide a tool for the assessment of the conservation potential of the marble blocks in parts of the monument that require specific attention. Simulation results indicate the resilience of the Parthenon’s structural system under most examined scenarios and highlight the importance of intrinsic stresses, the existence of which may lead to the fracture of the marble blocks under otherwise harmless loading conditions.</p>

Highlights

The temple of the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens is considered to be the opus magnum of classical antiquity
What is probably less familiar to the general public is the technology that allowed this monumental structure to be built, sustain its structural integrity for 21 centuries and be able to remain, even in today's ruinous state, in a very good and recognisable condition almost 2,500 years after its construction. The latter is owed mostly to the laborious restoration programmes, almost constant during the most recent - nearly - 200 years of the existence of the modern Greek state, which are currently conducted by the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA) [3]
The present study aims to highlight the importance of the conservation state of the original and restoration materials in terms of the response of the reinforced marble block system to ACTA IMEKO | www.imeko.org earthquake-induced stresses

Summary

Introduction

The temple of the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens is considered to be the opus magnum of classical antiquity. What is probably less familiar to the general public is the technology that allowed this monumental structure to be built, sustain its structural integrity for 21 centuries and be able to remain, even in today's ruinous state, in a very good and recognisable condition almost 2,500 years after its construction. The latter is owed mostly to the laborious restoration programmes, almost constant during the most recent - nearly - 200 years of the existence of the modern Greek state, which are currently conducted by the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA) [3]. The durability of the monuments of the Acropolis of Athens is owed to the combination of natural materials of the highest quality, selected and worked by skilful artisans but by people who knew how to exploit their properties to their advantage, manmade materials comprising the most advanced technology of the era and elaborate masonry methods and techniques, which incorporated knowledge of previous experience both in the fields of aesthetics and of structural resilience in a zone of high seismicity

Objectives

Results

Conclusion