Abstract
The work introduces a two-phase method for determination of axial loads in tie-rods. The method described here consists of an experimental activity and an automated numerical calculation. The influence of considering an elastic Winkler-type bed to model the tie-rod constraint inside the wall has been investigated. The algorithm used for calculation involves a solution of a functional minimization problem, where the tensile load and the stiffness of elastic foundation at the edges are used as optimization parameters and the error function, which describes the deviation between the frequencies measured and those calculated using finite element method, is minimized. Qualitative analysis of the results showed a significant reduction of the error compared to models with different boundary conditions. The method showed to be conservative for the strength evaluation of the rods, because the optimal values of tensile loads appeared to be higher than the load in perfect encastre conditions.
Highlights
Tie-rods are structural elements used in a wide range of civil constructions
The method consists of an in-situ experimental activity and an automated two-parameter optimization algorithm which allows to evaluate the axial load in tie-rods with a good precision
Structural assessment of the overall building stability is enabled by the described method throughout the identification of axial loads in tie-rods via experimental and numerical activity
Summary
Tie-rods are structural elements used in a wide range of civil constructions. One of purposes they serve is to provide support for masonry arches and vaults in ancient buildings (e.g. churches, castles, etc.), which are known to lurch and founder course of time. Over the years deformation of masonry walls and some displacements in the building may cause significant changes in the axial loads of tie-rods. In the extremes this can lead to either failures in tie-rods structural integrity, or to laziness of tie-rods that stop carrying out their duty when they loose loads. An approach based on an experimental investigation and a numerical method is introduced to serve this purpose
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