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Earthquakes and Structures
  Volume 12, Number 4, April 2017 , pages 409-423
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/eas.2017.12.4.409
 


Vault macro-element with equivalent trusses in global seismic analyses
Linda Giresini, Mauro Sassu, Christoph Butenweg, Valerio Alecci and Mario De Stefano

 
Abstract
    This paper proposes a quick and simplified method to describe masonry vaults in global seismic analyses of buildings. An equivalent macro-element constituted by a set of six trusses, two for each transverse, longitudinal and diagonal direction, is introduced. The equivalent trusses, whose stiffness is calculated by fully modeled vaults of different geometry, mechanical properties and boundary conditions, simulate the vault in both global analysis and local analysis, such as kinematic or rocking approaches. A parametric study was carried out to investigate the influence of geometrical characteristics and mechanical features on the equivalent stiffness values. The method was numerically validated by performing modal and transient analysis on a three naves-church in the elastic range. Vibration modes and displacement time-histories were compared showing satisfying agreement between the complete and the simplified models. This procedure is particularly useful in engineering practice because it allows to assess, in a simplified way, the effectiveness of strengthening interventions for reducing horizontal relative displacements between vault supports.
 
Key Words
    vault; macro-element; equivalent stiffness; truss; churches
 
Address
Linda Giresini, Mauro Sassu: Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Constructions Engineering Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 1, Pisa, University of Pisa, Italy

Christoph Butenweg: Lehrstuhl für Baustatik und Baudynamik, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Stra
 

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