Experimental Dynamic Behavior of Free-Standing Multi-Block Structures Under Seismic Loadings

Abstract

This paper describes the dynamical behavior of free standing block structures under seismic loading. A comprehensive experimental investigation has been carried out to study the rocking response of four single blocks of different geometry and associations of two and three blocks. The blocks, which are large stones of high strength blue granite, were subjected to free vibration, and harmonic and random motions of the base. In total, 379 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. Significant understanding of the rocking motion mechanism is possible from the high quality experimental data. Extensive experimental measurements allowed to discuss the impulsive forces acting in the blocks and the three-dimensional effects presented in the response.

Dynamics of planar rocking-blocks with Coulomb friction and unilateral constraints: comparisons between experimental and numerical data

“…This is shown through detailed comparisons between numerical results obtained with the LZB model, and experimental results obtained in Pena et al [42,43]. Those comparisons concern free-rocking (fixed base) and the onset of rocking (with horizontal base excitation).…”

“…They found good agreements between their simulations and their experiments. Pena and Prieto et al [42,43,46] performed many experiments and also proposed a new model for rocking. It is noteworthy that in their experiments that Pena et al [42] found better matching between the above value of r and the experimental values, which differ by much smaller percentage than in [7,45].…”

Rocking Behaviour of Simple Unreinforced Load-Bearing Masonry Walls Including Soundproofing Rubber Layers

“…In order to consider these structures in design procedures, DeJong and Dimitrakopoulos proposed a methodology to derive approximate equivalence between rocking blocks and SDOF structures [28]. An experimental campaign has also been performed at the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC) and where single blocks were tested, as well as multi-block structures lying on a rigid support [29]. This campaign allowed a better understanding of the rocking mechanisms and a comparison of measurements with model predictions.…”

Rocking Spectrum Intensity Measure for Seismic Assessment of Rocking Blocks

“…Since the actual restitution coefficient is material dependent, several experiments were performed in order to determine it accurately [16,17], and improved formulas has been proposed [18]. In the current study the restitution coefficient of Eq.…”