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Special Issue "Characterization and Structural Rehabilitation of Ancient Masonry Buildings"

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A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 12935

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Fernando F. S. Pinho

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Guest Editor

CERIS, FCT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: constructive and mechanical characterization of walls and foundations of ancient buildings; anomalies and inspection techniques; structural rehabilitation of ancient buildings; experimental analysis; building materials

Prof. Dr. Humberto Varum

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Guest Editor

CONSTRUCT-LESE, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: assessment, strengthening and repair of structures; structural health monitoring; structural testing and modeling; earthquake engineering; earth construction rehabilitation and seismic strengthening
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

All over the world, there are countless ancient masonry buildings, and other structures, built by our ancestors, many hundreds and even thousands of years ago.

Many of these constructions, in particular the historic/classified buildings (e.g., monumental, imperial, or religious buildings), have undergone maintenance and conservation action over time, which has allowed them to survive in adequate habitability and safety conditions. However, many other buildings and masonry constructions built in urban and rural environments did not have the same interventions, and collapsed due to either lack of conservation or natural actions, such as earthquakes, floods, fires, landslides, or other man-made actions, e.g., wars and attacks.

The current generation of technicians and scientists has the duty, and interest, of preserving the important heritage of classified and unclassified buildings. Many authors have dedicated decades of study to these topics for the huge diversity of materials constituting the masonry. This Special Issue of Buildings aims to gather and disseminate research works related to experimental and/or numerical studies and case studies on the constructive and mechanical characterization of walls and foundations of ancient buildings, anomalies, inspection techniques and structural assessment, and rehabilitation and strengthening of ancient constructions.

Prof. Dr. Fernando F. S. Pinho
Prof. Dr. Humberto Varum
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

ancient buildings
characterization of walls and foundations
anomalies
inspection
structural rehabilitation
strengthening
experimental analysis
numerical modelling

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Evaluation of Transverse Steel Connector Strengthening Effect on the Behavior of Rubble Stone Masonry Walls under Compression Using a Particle Model

Ildi Cismaşiu

Nuno Monteiro Azevedo

and

Fernando F. S. Pinho

Buildings 2023, 13(4), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13040987 - 08 Apr 2023

Viewed by 615

Abstract

The structural rehabilitation of historic/traditional rubble masonry wall constructions requires consolidation and retrofitting solutions to be employed in order to withstand dynamic loads, high vertical loads, and differential settlements. One of these strengthening techniques is based on the use of steel bar connectors perpendicular to the wall, considered individually or integrated into more complex strengthening techniques. The aim of this study is to evaluate numerically the strengthening effect of transverse steel connectors on rubble masonry walls. With this purpose, a 2D particle-reinforced model (2D-PMR) was devised and applied to model uniaxial compression tests. The results presented show that predictions calculated using the proposed 2D-PMR model are very close to known experimental results, particularly in the corresponding failure modes, the increase of the maximum uniaxial compression value, and ductility. Parametric studies are also conducted by varying the diameter of the steel bars and the level of strengthening to assess the influence of the bar-bond effect and lateral plates. The presented parametric numerical studies show that (i) a two-level strengthening solution guarantees a similar response to the three-level strengthening solution adopted in the experiments; (ii) it is not relevant to apply a grout injection during the application process of the steel connectors if lateral plates are adopted; and (iii) the 2D-PMR model can be used in the definition of the steel bar diameter and properties; as shown, a smaller (8 mm) bar diameter predicts a similar strengthening effect to the (12 mm) bar size adopted in the experiments. Given the performance of the proposed 2D-PMR model, further work is underway that will allow the 2D-PMR model to numerically assess other reinforcement techniques, namely, reinforced micro-concrete layers and textile reinforced mortar. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Structural Rehabilitation of Ancient Masonry Buildings)

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Open AccessArticle

Implementing Open-Source Information Systems for Assessing and Managing the Seismic Vulnerability of Historical Constructions

Rafael Ramírez Eudave

Daniel Rodrigues

Tiago Miguel Ferreira

and

Romeu Vicente

Buildings 2023, 13(2), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13020540 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 989

Abstract

The characterisation of the seismic vulnerability of historical constructions represents a complex problem in which the typological variability, the difficulty of performing reliable large-scale assessments and dealing with a large database all play a role. Nevertheless, reducing the uncertainty regarding the structural vulnerability of the existing building stock (mostly for small and/or isolated human settlements) is key for risk assessment and management. The present work proposes a novel approach based on the integration of a series of open-source tools for assembling a vulnerability-oriented database that is linked to a series of external services for increasing its capabilities. The database was implemented in a Geographical Information System (GIS) environment and contains the survey of a seismic vulnerability index for masonry constructions based on an adapted version of the GNDT-II approach. A customised Python-based software for reading, managing and editing the database is herein presented. This program allows the execution of the most typical operations with no assistance from the GIS environment, facilitating user interaction. Furthermore, the calculations regarding the vulnerability index and levels of damage have been implemented in this program. Alternatives for distributing the database are implemented and discussed, such as cloud-based distribution and the use of the Transactional Web Feature Service (WFS-T) protocol for its virtual publishing. The entire framework herein presented is a replicable and feasible workflow that can be set even with reduced infrastructure, allowing a progressive enlargement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Structural Rehabilitation of Ancient Masonry Buildings)

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Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Rubble-Stone Masonry Walls Response under Axial Compression Using 2D Particle Modelling

Nuno Monteiro Azevedo

Fernando F. S. Pinho

Ildi Cismaşiu

and

Murilo Souza

Buildings 2022, 12(8), 1283; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12081283 - 21 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1075

Abstract

To predict the structural behaviour of ancient stone masonry walls is still a challenging task due to their strong heterogeneity. A rubble-stone masonry modeling methodology using a 2D particle model (2D-PM), based on the discrete element method is proposed given its ability to predict crack propagation by taking directly into account the material structure at the grain scale. Rubble-stone (ancient) masonry walls tested experimentally under uniaxial compression loading conditions are numerically evaluated. The stone masonry numerical models are generated from a close mapping process of the stone units and of the mortar surfaces. A calibration procedure for the stone-stone and mortar-mortar contacts based on experimental data is presented. The numerical studies show that the 2D-PM wall models can predict the formation and propagation of cracks, the initial stiffness and the maximum load obtained experimentally in traditional stone masonry walls. To reduce the simulation times, it is shown that the wall lateral numerical model adopting a coarser mortar discretization is a viable option for these walls. The mortar behaviour under compression with lateral confinement is identified as an important micro-parameter, that influences the peak strength and the ductility of rubble-masonry walls under uniaxial loading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Structural Rehabilitation of Ancient Masonry Buildings)

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Open AccessArticle

Simulation Analysis of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda Structure Using a Shape Memory Alloy-Suspension Pendulum Damping System (SMA-SPDS)

and

Buildings 2022, 12(5), 686; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12050686 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1459

Abstract

To reduce the effects of earthquakes on the ancient Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a shape memory alloy-suspension pendulum damping system (SMA-SPDS) is developed by combining superelastic SMAs with damping pendulum theory. A MATLAB/Simulink simulation model of the SMA-SPDS is established and tested on a 1:10 scale model of the Pagoda. After verifying and comparing the simulation data with experimental results, a shock absorption analysis is performed on the prototype Pagoda. The optimum engineering design for the prototype structure of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda using SMA-SPDS for shock absorption protection in the future is put forward. The results show that the performance of the SMA-SPDS system is stable, and it can improve the integrity of the original structure of the Pagoda for better performance during earthquakes. In addition, with an increment in seismic intensity, the SMA-SPDS shows an apparent controlling effect. The Simulink simulation results of the model structure of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda are in good agreement with the test results. The Simulink simulation method can simulate the seismic response of the model structure of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda well, with and without SMA-SPDS, to obtain a more real damping effect of setting SMA-SPDS on the prototype structure; the engineering optimization of the location, quantity, and system performance parameters of SMA-SPDS in the prototype structure of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda has a remarkable effect, which can make the damping effect of SMA-SPDS reach more than 43% floor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Structural Rehabilitation of Ancient Masonry Buildings)

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Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Compressive Behaviors of Brick Masonry Strengthened with Modified Oyster Shell Ash Mortar

and

Buildings 2021, 11(7), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11070266 - 23 Jun 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2002

Abstract

Masonry bricks were widely used in construction of the walls in most of Chinese historical buildings. The low strength of lime–clay mortar used in existing historical brick masonry walls has usually led to poor performance such as cracking and collapse during earthquakes. As the composition of modified oyster shell ash mortar (MOSA mortar) with higher strength is similar to that of lime–clay mortar, it can be used to partially replace original lime–clay mortar for historical brick masonry buildings in order to improve their seismic performance. Previous research has proven that this strengthening method for brick masonry is effective in improving shear strength. In this paper, we present further experimental research regarding the compressive behaviors of brick masonry strengthened by replacing mortar with a MOSA mortar. The test results showed that the compressive strength of brick masonry specimens strengthened by the proposed method meets the design requirements. The formula for calculating compressive strength for brick masonry strengthened by replacing mortar was obtained by fitting the test results. The calculated values were consistent with the tested ones. In addition, the stress–strain relationship of tested specimens under axial compression was simulated using the parabolic model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Structural Rehabilitation of Ancient Masonry Buildings)

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Open AccessArticle

Masonry Dome Behavior under Gravity Loads Based on the Support Condition by Considering Variable Curves and Thicknesses

Asem Sharbaf

Mohammadreza Bemanian

Khosro Daneshjoo

and

Hamzeh Shakib

Buildings 2021, 11(6), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11060241 - 04 Jun 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5407

Abstract

It is necessary to recognize masonry domes’ behavior under gravity loads in order to strengthen, restore, and conserve them. The neutral hoop plays a crucial role in identifying the masonry dome’s behavior to distinguish between its tensile and compressive regions. When it comes to determining the neutral hoop position in a dome with the same brick material, in addition to determining the dome’s curve and thickness, the support condition located on the boundary line is a significant parameter that has received less attention in the past. Therefore, this research aims to comprehensively define masonry dome behaviors based on the support condition’s effect on the masonry dome’s behavior, in addition to thickness and curve parameters, by determining neutral hoop(s). The method is a graphical and numerical analysis to define the sign-changing positioning in the first principal stress (hoop stress), based on the shell theory and extracted from a finite element method (FEM) Karamba3D analysis of a macro-model. The case studies are in four types of supports: condition fixed, free in the X- and Y-axes, free in all axes (domes placed on a drum), and free in all axes (domes placed on a pendentive and a drum). For each support condition, twelve curves and four varied thicknesses for each curve are considered. Results based on the dome’s variables show that, in general, four types of masonry domes behavior can be identified: single-masonry dome behavior with no neutral hoop; double-masonry dome behavior where all hoops are compressive with a single neutral hoop; double-masonry dome behavior where hoops are compressive and tensile with a single neutral hoop; and treble-masonry dome behavior with double neutral hoops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Structural Rehabilitation of Ancient Masonry Buildings)

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