Abstract

A review of methods applicable to the study of masonry historical construction, encompassing both classical and advanced ones, is presented. Firstly, the paper offers a discussion on the main challenges posed by historical structures and the desirable conditions that approaches oriented to the modeling and analysis of this type of structures should accomplish. Secondly, the main available methods which are actually used for study masonry historical structures are referred to and discussed.

The main available strategies, including limit analysis, simplified methods, FEM macro- or micro-modeling and discrete element methods (DEM) are considered with regard to their realism, computer efficiency, data availability and real applicability to large structures. A set of final considerations are offered on the real possibility of carrying out realistic analysis of complex historic masonry structures. In spite of the modern developments, the study of historical buildings is still facing significant difficulties linked to computational effort, possibility of input data acquisition and limited realism of methods.

Abstract

The current study aims to assist the preservation of the structural integrity of historical complex sites, utilizing smart instrumental monitoring / remote sensing. The main idea is that smart instrumental monitoring can provide important real-time information (records) of both the actual natural hazard(s) and the corresponding vulnerability, in terms of structural response and distress of structures and monuments of historically complex sites. The study focuses on the Acropolis Circuit Wall, where strain recordings via Smart Rod optical fibre sensors have been made possible. More specifically, wavelength recordings have been obtained and then converted into strain recordings, while the temperature influence has been taken into consideration. Furthermore, reference measurements have been defined during the initial system operation and then they are used for deduction of subsequent recordings. Strains recorded 2 and 1/2years after the initial system installation are shown, after the deduction of the reference measurements. Finally, strain variation between sensors located at the inner and outer side of the same optical fibre Smart Rod are shown.

Abstract

Elmina Castle is the first of a series of European trading bases along Africa’s west coast, and it is the oldest and best preserved early European building in Sub-Saharan Africa. The structure shows a combination of mud-mortared and lime-mortared sandstone masonry macro elements and has undergone reconstructions and modification throughout time under Portuguese and Dutch occupation. This study focuses on the structural analysis of Elmina Castle’s east curtain wall, which features two massive masonry buttresses built only alongselected portions of the wall. The hypothesis that these buttresses were built in correspondence of deep voids in the foundation bedrock platform is numerically evaluated using pushover analysis. The lateral capacity is determined based on energy considerations using nonlinear FE models in Abaqus/CAE Explicit and concrete damaged plasticity. Results indicate that, at a later Dutch stage of structural modification, loose soil filling might have caused rotational instability of the curtain wall, requiring the addition of the buttresses.