Modelling Methods for Large Masonry Structures

Abstract

A large part of the built cultural heritage is affected by structural damages which may lead to infringements of the essential quality requirements of the buildings. Structural analysis contributes to the safety assessment and design of the necessary interventions, therefore accurate results are needed in order to avoid inappropriate rehabilitation solutions. This paper describes the modelling methods of masonry structures taking into consideration different strategies of analysis in correlation with the complexity of the investigated elements and with the type of the expected results. Advantages and disadvantages of different modelling techniques and the applicability of the latter in the field of old masonry structures assessment are presented. Also, a case study composed of different FEM analysis for a masonry monumental building is presented. Aspects resulted from modal and linear static analysis are discussed.