Masonry behaviour and modelling

Abstract

In this Chapter we present the basic experimental facts on masonry materials and introduce simple and refined models for masonry. The simple models are essentially macroscopic and based on the assumption that the material is incapable of sustaining tensile loads (No-Tension assumption). The refined models account for the microscopic structure of masonry, modeling the interaction between the blocks and the interfaces.

Static Analysis of Cross Vaults: The Case of the Cathedral of Casertavecchia

“…In terms of the Airy's solution, for the case of pure vertical loading, such transverse equilibrium equation can be rewritten in the form 22 , S 22 = F, 11 , S 12 = −F, 12 ,…”

“…From (21), (22) we deduce that the directions k̂1 , k̂2 chosen in Ω 1 , and Ω 2 , are eigenvectors for the surface stress in the regions Ω 1 , and Ω 2 respectively. Also these formulas are dimensional, in the sense that the load per unit area p must be given in kNm -2 , and T (αβ) are generalized stress components which read in kNm…”

“…The formulation of the BVP for unilateral masonry materials, that is Rigid No-Tension materials for which the latent strains (fractures) satisfy a normality condition with respect to the admissible stresses, can be found in the recent papers by Angelillo [22], Silhavi [24], Lucchesi [25] and Angelillo [26].…”

“…(8). Contour plot of the physical stress components Σ (11) (a) and Σ (22) (b). In (c), plot of the physical stresses Σ (11) (dashed line) and Σ (22) (solid line), at x 1 = a/2, versus x 2 .…”

“…Contour plot of the physical stress components Σ (11) (a) and Σ (22) (b). In (c), plot of the physical stresses Σ (11) (dashed line) and Σ (22) (solid line), at x 1 = a/2, versus x 2 . Notice that the stress Σ (11) , at x 1 = a/2, represents the thrust per unit length applied horizontally to the supporting arch/wall.…”