A methodology aiming to predict the vulnerability of masonry structures under seismic action is presented herein. Masonry structures, among which many are cultural heritage assets, present high vulnerability under earthquake. Reliable simulations of their response to seismic stresses are exceedingly difficult because of the complexity of the structural system and the anisotropic and brittle behavior of the masonry materials. Furthermore, the majority of the parameters involved in the problem such as the masonry material mechanical characteristics and earthquake loading characteristics have a stochastic-probabilistic nature. Within this framework, a detailed analytical methodological approach for assessing the seismic vulnerability of masonry historical and monumental structures is presented, taking into account the probabilistic nature of the input parameters by means of analytically determining fragility curves. The emerged methodology is presented in detail through application on theoretical and built cultural heritage real masonry structures. leading to a final approval (or rejection) of the decisions already taken for repair or strengthening of the existing structure.
Step 8: Explanatory ReportThe last step, as a result of the proposed methodology, includes the detailed "Explanatory Report", where all the collected information, the diagnosis, including the safety evaluation, and any decision to intervene should be fully detailed. This document is essential for eventual future analyses and interventions' measures in the structure.
Computational and Mathematical AspectsIn this section, the most basic analytical constitutive laws and numerical models required for the successful implementation of the proposed methodology are presented in detail. In particular, the finite element model for the macro-modeling of masonry structures, the failure criteria, the damage indices, the performance levels and the mathematical background of fragility curves are presented.
