This paper describes the behavior of single rigid-block structures under dynamic loading. A comprehensive experimental investigation has been carried out to study the rocking response of four blue granite stones with different geometrical characteristics under free vibration, and harmonic and random motions of the base. In total, 275 tests on a shaking table were carried out in order to address the issues of repeatability of the results and stability of the rocking motion response. Two different tools for the numerical simulations of the rocking motion of rigid blocks are considered. The first tool is analytical and overcomes the usual limitations of the traditional piecewise equations of motion through a Lagrangian formalism. The second tool is based on the discrete element method (DEM), especially effective for the numerical modeling of rigid blocks. A new methodology is proposed for finding the parameters of the DEM by using the parameters of the classical theory. An extensive comparison between numerical and experimental data has been carried out to validate and define the limitations of the analytical tools under study.
Discrete element methodDEM can be considered as a method for modeling discontinuous media. This analysis technique allows relative motion between elements, which is especially suitable for problems in which the
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.
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