SUMMARYIn this paper, the distinct element method is used in order to predict the earthquake response of a multi-drum marble model of a classical column. The results are compared with experimental data for an 'identical' specimen under the same excitation. Both the numerical analysis and the experiments were conducted in three dimensions. The results show that the distinct element method can capture quite well the main features of the response, in spite of the sensitivity of the response to even small perturbations of the characteristics of the structure or the excitation. Attention, however, should be given to the appropriate values of the joint properties to be used. In any case, it seems that the method can be used with conÿdence in the restoration process of ancient monuments, in order to estimate the response to expected earthquake motions.

SUMMARYA numerical study of the seismic behaviour of a proposed restoration of the Parthenon Pronaos is presented. The column-architrave classical structure was represented by a discrete element model, with the assumption of rigid blocks and frictional joints. Time domain analyses were performed, considering the geometric and material non-linear behaviour at the joints. The deformation and failure modes of drum columns subject to seismic excitations of various types and intensities were analysed. The adverse in uence of drum imperfections on structural safety was examined. A proposal of reinforcement with titanium connections was analysed, and it was found that architrave connections generally improve the response by decreasing the permanent displacements, while titanium dowels between the column drums do not improve signiÿcantly the behaviour and in some cases they may be unfavourable to the safety of the structure.

SUMMARYExperimental results concerning the earthquake response of a marble model of a classical column are reported herein. The model was a 1:3 scale replica of a column of the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens, made from the same material as the original. Several earthquake motions, scaled appropriately in order to cause signiÿcant rocking but no collapse of the column, were used as the excitation. The base motion was applied in plane (in one horizontal and the vertical direction) or in space (in two horizontal and the vertical direction), using the shaking table facility at the Laboratory for Earthquake Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. It was found that the column might undergo large deformations during the shaking, which are not necessarily re ected by the residual displacements at the end of it. For planar excitations, signiÿcant out-of-plane displacements can happen, triggered by the inevitable imperfections of the specimen. It was also veriÿed that the response is very sensitive, even to small changes of the geometry or the input motion parameters. For this reason, the experiments were not repeatable and 'identical' experiments produced di erent results.

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