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Experimental Evaluation of Infill Masonry Walls Stiffness for the Modelling of Non-Structural Components in R.C. Frame Buildings
Get PDFSolitamente le tamponature vengono trascurate nella modellazione delle strutture a telaio in cemento armato e solamente il loro contributo in termini di massa viene preso in considerazione, assumendo che la resistenza e la rigidezza delle stesse non influiscano sulla risposta strutturale. Questa pratica è supportata dal fatto che (i) generalmente allo stato limite ultimo le tamponature si considerano completamente danneggiate e, quindi, il loro contributo in termini di rigidezza è trascurabile, mentre (ii) allo stato limite di danno il valore dello spostamento di interpiano, ottenuto trascurando il contributo di rigidezza delle tamponature, può essere considerato a favore di sicurezza. Tuttavia, per edifici di importanza strategica, quali scuole, ospedali, caserme delle forze dell’ordine e dei Vigili del Fuoco, è cruciale preservare le tamponature da qualsiasi danno, anche per terremoti di entità severa, in modo da garantire il normale utilizzo dell’edificio durante la gestione dell’emergenza. Inoltre, questi edifici a volte sono sismicamente protetti con sistemi e dispositivi (smorzatori, isolatori, ecc...) il cui progetto richiede che sia tenuto in considerazione il reale comportamento dinamico della struttura (in termini di frequenze e/o spostamenti e/o velocità). Per questo diventa cruciale modellare accuratamente l’intera struttura, includendo le tamponature, e validare questo modello così ottenuto sulla base dell’evidenza sperimentale. La tipologia delle pareti e le loro procedure costruttive sono fonte di incertezze nella modellazione delle interazioni tra la struttura e gli elementi non strutturali. Quindi, una valutazione sperimentale delle proprietà di rigidezza dei pannelli di tamponatura potrebbe essere molto utile per valutare, all’interno del modello strutturale adottato per il progetto, il contributo in termini di rigidezza fornito alla struttura in c.a. da questi elementi non strutturali.
In questa tesi viene presentata una procedura per realizzare modelli globali agli elementi finiti accurati di edifici a telaio in c.a. tamponati, basandosi su risultati ottenuti da analisi modali sperimentali e operative sviluppate rispettivamente su elementi non strutturali e sull’intero edificio. In particolare, sono stati eseguiti test di impatto con martello strumentato su pareti omogenee per identificarne i parametri modali (frequenze e forme modali) e per stimarne le proprietà meccaniche. Dopo di che, le tamponature sono state inserite nel modello strutturale globale agli elementi finiti, i cui parametri modali vengono confrontati con quelli derivanti da analisi modali operative basate su misurazioni di vibrazioni ambientali per valutarne l’accuratezza. In seguito, è stata condotta una campagna sperimentale su tre provini di tamponatura costruiti all’interno del Laboratorio di Prove di Materiali e Strutture della Facoltà di Ingegneria dell’Università Politecnica delle Marche. Questi provini sono stati realizzati con l’intento di riprodurre le caratteristiche di alcune delle tamponature testate in sito e su di essi vengono svolte prove sia dinamiche che statiche. Innanzi tutto, sono stati effettuati test ad impatto con martello strumentato per investigarne il comportamento dinamico fuori dal piano; successivamente sono state svolte prove di spinta laterale per investigare il comportamento statico nel piano dei pannelli soggetti a bassi livelli di forze orizzontali. I risultati sperimentali ottenuti sono stati utilizzati per calibrare modelli agli elementi finiti dei provini al fine di valutare l’esattezza delle proprietà meccaniche delle tamponature stimate in precedenza e secondo diversi approcci.Infill walls are commonly disregarded in the modelling of reinforced concrete (r.c.) frame structures and only their contribution in terms of mass is taken into account assuming that resistance and stiffness do not affect the structural response. This practice is supported by the fact that (i) at ultimate limit state infill walls are usually considered to be completely damaged, so that their contribution is negligible in terms of stiffness, while (ii) at the damage limitation limit state the value of the interstorey drift, obtained by neglecting the infill walls stiffness contribution, is commonly considered to be conservative. However, for strategic buildings, such as schools, hospitals, police and fire stations, it is crucial to preserve the infill walls from any damage, even for severe earthquake, in order to guarantee the building occupancy during the emergency management. Furthermore, these buildings are sometimes seismically protected with system and devices (dampers, isolators, etc...) whose design requires the real dynamic behaviour of the structure (in terms of frequencies and/or displacements and/or velocities) to be considered. To this purpose, it becomes crucial to accurately model the entire structure, including infill walls, and to validate this model on the basis of experimental evidences. The wall typology and the construction procedures are source of uncertainties in modelling interactions between structural and non-structural components. Thus, an experimental evaluation of the stiffness properties of the wall infill panel could be very useful to assess the stiffening contribution added by the infill masonry walls to the concrete frame in the structural model adopted for the design.
In this thesis is presented a procedure for developing accurate global finite element (f.e.) models of infilled r.c. frame buildings based on results of experimental an operational modal analysis of non-structural components and of the whole buildings. In particular, impact load tests with an instrumented hammer are performed on homogeneous wall panels to identify the modal parameters (frequency and mode shapes) and to estimate the mechanical properties of the masonry walls. Afterwards, the infill walls are included in the f.e. structural model, whose modal parameters are compared with those derived with operational modal analysis based on ambient vibration measurements. Furthermore, an experimental campaign on three specimens of infill masonry walls built in the Laboratory of Materials and Structures of the Faculty of Engineering at the Università Politecnica delle Marche is conducted. These specimens are built with the target to reproduce the features of some of the in situ investigated infill walls and are tested both dynamically and statically. First of all, impact load tests with an instrumented hammer are performed to investigate the out of plane dynamic behaviour of these walls; then, lateral load tests are carried out to investigate the in plane static behaviour of the panel under low level of lateral forces. The experimental results obtained are used to calibrate f.e. models of the specimens with the aim to evaluate the reliability of the masonry mechanical properties estimated through different approaches
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Historic Brickwork Masonry with Weak and Degraded Joints: Failure Mechanisms Under Compression and Shear
Get PDFThe failure behaviour of historic unreinforced masonry (URM) structures is strongly influenced by the properties of bricks and mortar. Over time, degradation processes compromise these materials, with significant effect on structural response and safety. Nevertheless, deterioration effects on the nonlinear behaviour of masonry have been only marginally investigated. This study investigates the mechanical behaviour and failure mechanisms of historic brick masonry with weak and irregular mortar joints, representative of Mediterranean traditional constructions. An extensive experimental programme was conducted on mortars, historic clay bricks, prisms, wallets, and triplet specimens, complemented by in-situ flat jack tests. Results confirm the critical role of mortar quality and joint irregularities in reducing compressive and shear strength and in influencing deformation capacity of historic masonry. The experimental findings served as a basis for the calibration of a Finite Element Model (FEM), subsequently employed to gain deeper insight into the governing failure mechanisms in a real study case. A critical discussion of compression and shear failure criteria is presented, focusing on historic masonry. Experimental and analytical comparisons show major discrepancies in classical criteria, especially with degraded mortars. The study shows that in historic masonry with weak joints, failure is often governed by compression rather than shear
DYMOS: A New Software for the Dynamic Identification of Structures
Get PDFOperational modal analysis (OMA) is widely used for its simplicity and reliance on ambient noise. While commercial OMA software exists, they often limit user control. Some researchers develop their own tools, but independent software tools remain scarce. The number of such independent software is limited, and the development of new ones with enhanced features, better performance, and varied user interfaces would be beneficial to spread the informed use of dynamic identification techniques, leading to more reliable and valuable results for structural engineering applications. This work introduces the new DYMOS software for OMA from ambient vibration test recordings. DYMOS includes various state-of-art algorithms and tools for vibration-based modal identification and for optimal sensor placement (OSP), allowing for customization of analysis parameters and procedures with the aim of reducing the gap between the needs of professional practice and research. Additionally, a new graphical tool is introduced for visualizing results in both buildings and bridges. By using CAD drawings as input, it streamlines model construction, making the process faster, more intuitive, and efficient. The article aims to describe DYMOS and to demonstrate its potential for OMA and OSP in civil engineering through the application on two real case studies dynamically tested
Shell-Based Finite Element Modeling of Herøysund Bridge in Norway
Get PDFThis paper thoroughly examines the application of the Finite Element Method (FEM)
to the numerical modal analysis of Herøysund Bridge, focusing on the theoretical backdrop, the
construction process, and FEM techniques. This work examines the specific applied FEM approaches
and their advantages and disadvantages. This Herøysund Bridge analysis employs a two-pronged
strategy consisting of a 3D–solid model and a shell model. To forecast the physical behavior of a
structure, assumptions, modeling methodologies, and the incorporation of specific components such
as pillars are applied to both approaches. This research also emphasizes the importance of boundary
conditions, examining the structural effects of standard Earth gravity, a post-tensioned load, and a
railing and asphalt load. The Results section thoroughly explores the mode shapes and frequencies
of the 3D–solid and shell models. The conclusion of this work includes findings obtained from the
study, implications for Herøysund Bridge, and a comparison of both modeling strategies. It also
incorporates ideas for future research and guides employing FEM 3D–solid and shell methods to
design and construct more efficient, resilient, and durable bridge structures
Experimental modal properties of a steel arch bridge during the static load test
No full textBase isolated steel arch bridges are very complex engineering systems whose behaviour may depend not only on an accurate design but also on its correct realization during all construction phases. One of the most effective method, fast and cheap, to check the global behaviour of the structure and the correctness of the design structural models is based on the comparison between modal parameters, in terms of frequencies and mode shapes, experimentally identified by means vibration measurements with those theoretically predicted by the structural models.
This paper describes the dynamic test carried out during the standard static load test of a half-through steel arch bridge. The bridge is built over the Potenza river, in central Italy, and its structural design is characterized by some notable aspects: the river crossing is obtained by two coupled steel arches, having a span length around 115 m, and a steel-concrete composite deck sustained by thirty couples of steel hangers; the arches are supported on rubber bearing seismic isolators. An accelerometer array was installed over the bridge deck to study the evolution of the modal parameters of the structure at specific phases of the load test: first on the unloaded configuration, then on two different loaded configurations, made by placing trucks over the deck, and finally after the bridge unloading. Measurements of ambient vibrations were carried out and Operational Modal Analysis was performed to estimate modal properties of the deck. Experimental values of the resonance frequencies and related mode shapes are compared with those obtained with the predictive finite element model developed for design purposes and opportunely modified to account for the real conditions of the bridge during the tests. In particular, the dynamic interaction between bridge and trucks was investigated by considering trucks not only in terms of added mass but as dynamic systems characterized by mass, stiffness and damping properties. The obtained results show the effects of the trucks on the dynamic parameters of the bridge and allow the reliability assessment of the numerical model
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Model Updating of Cultural Heritage Buildings Through Swarm Intelligence Algorithms
Get PDFMasonry buildings constitute a great Italian historical and cultural heritage, but they were also severely damaged by earthquakes over the centuries. Therefore, to assess their structural and seismic performance, it is crucial to gain a refined and trustworthy numerical model adopting model updating techniques, sometimes based on artificial intelligence algorithms. This article deals with the development and the updating of a finite element model of an historical church that account for the presence of both the seismic damage and securing systems. The model updating is performed adopting the particle swarm optimization algorithm and is based on the comparison between numerical and experimental modal parameters, the latter achieved by an extensive dynamic test campaign. The obtained calibrated numerical model has been adopted to support the restoration work design, as well as the design of a structural health monitoring system that has been permanently installed on the church
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