Photogrammetry-aided numerical seismic assessment of historical structures composed of adobe, stone and brick masonry. Application to the San Juan Bautista Church built on the Inca temple of Huaytará, Peru

Abstract

This research presents a cost-effective surveying methodology to assist the seismic assessment of complex heritage buildings, based on terrestrial structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry. The method was applied to the study of the seismic performance of the church of San Juan Bautista – Inca temple of Huaytará, Peru, an emblematic case study due to its complex architecture and coexistence of different construction materials. The geometrical model for the seismic assessment was developed with an error of less than 2 % using SfM photogrammetry. Non-linear static pushover analyses were performed on 3D FEM models of the nave and the towers to evaluate their individual response under seismic loading. Mechanical properties of different structural materials of the church were evaluated based on laboratory experimental tests on mortar and adobe, contemporary and ancient fired brick, Inca stone, colonial stone and rubble stone units. Non-linear pushover analyses were conducted in four directions perpendicular to the perimeter walls, and the response of the structure was compared with the seismic demand specified in Peruvian Standards. The simulations show that damage-prone areas are the western and eastern facades, with cracking at the connections between orthogonal walls, as well as at the interface of adobe masonry with Inca stone masonry. The towers exhibit similar seismic response, with lower strength capacities compared to the main nave. In this case, flexural overturning mechanisms and cracking at the interface between stone and adobe masonry were observed. The displacement-based seismic assessment using the N2 method shows that a peak ground acceleration of 0.21 g could lead to the collapse of the north and south facades of the main nave. The towers showed a much smaller capacity with PGA leading to collapse of approximately 0.09 g. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of the seismic performance of the Huaytará-Huancavelica church, highlighting vulnerabilities and providing valuable information for its preservation and future interventions. Future investigations should focus on on-site tests that will allow the estimation of the effect of existing damage on the structural response and their incorporation in the numerical model.