Numerical modelling and calibration of a masonry barrel vault using shaking table experimental data

Dissertação de mestrado em Structural Analysis of Monuments and Historical Construction ; This thesis aims to model and calibrate the response of a full-scale masonry barrel vault using experimental data from acceleration and displacement time histories acquired during shaking table tests. In the experimental tests, a full-scale unreinforced barrel vault was analysed under ambient vibration and seismic test conditions. Ambient Vibration Tests (AVTs) provided key dynamic features and decay due to progressive damage caused by incremental seismic tests, which were conducted with progressively increasing earthquake intensity. The 2016 Norcia earthquake, characterized by a significant vertical component often disregarded in modern design codes, served as the seismic input. In the context of masonry vaults, the vertical component is expected to be crucial as these structural elements primarily rely on their self-weight. The seismic input included all three components of motion. Seismic tests continued until a significant level of damage was observed, forming a four-crack damage pattern and resulting in substantial relative displacements, with maximum values around 30 mm. A 3-D simplified micro-modelling approach is proposed to model and replicate the experimental specimen’s geometry, utilizing interface elements for brick-mortar interactions (and for the mortar itself). The model is calibrated with reference to frequencies and mode shapes from the AVT in undamaged condition, focusing on interface stiffness values. Calibration shows results accurately matching experimental data. Subsequent non-linear numerical analyses are carried out, using seismic time histories input processed for efficient computation time and ensuring accurate input displacement time histories. A non-linear interface model (discrete cracking) is able to capture progressive damage with reduced tensile strength, but the analysis highlights lower relative displacements than the experimental results. Sensitivity analyses and further investigations ...