Title: Comparative finite element modelling approaches for the seismic vulnerability analysis of historical masonry structures: the case study of the Cathedral of Catanzaro (Italy)

Authors: Daniele Gaetano; Fabrizio Greco; Lorenzo Leonetti; Arturo Pascuzzo; Aurora Skrame

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Cubo 39B, 87036 Rende, Italy ' Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Cubo 39B, 87036 Rende, Italy ' Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Cubo 39B, 87036 Rende, Italy ' Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Cubo 39B, 87036 Rende, Italy ' Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Cubo 41C, 87036 Rende, Italy

Abstract: The vulnerability assessment of an ancient cathedral located in Southern Italy is performed by using both conventional and advanced finite element models. The structural safety under both static and seismic loading conditions, also including wind and temperature loadings, is mainly assessed via a response spectrum analysis performed on an accurate 3D global model of the cathedral ad hoc developed. Moreover, additional pushover analyses are conducted using an advanced nonlinear model, for a better understanding of the seismic behaviour of the analysed structure. In particular, an innovative diffuse cohesive interface approach has been adopted and suitably compared with a well-established damage model, also in terms of associated mesh dependency issues. Finally, a critical discussion of the numerical results obtained via all these different models is reported, with the aim of comparing their predictive capabilities in terms of both global and local structural safety.

Keywords: historical masonry structures; pushover analysis; cohesive finite element models; damage models; seismic vulnerability assessment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2022.126544

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2022 Vol.7 No.6, pp.600 - 623

Received: 21 Jun 2021
Accepted: 28 Aug 2021

Published online: 28 Oct 2022 *

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