TY  - JOUR
A1  - Giresini, Linda
A1  - Sassu, Mauro
A1  - Butenweg, Christoph
A1  - Alecci, Valerio
A1  - De Stefano, Mario
T1  - Vault macro-element with equivalent trusses in global seismic analyses
JF  - Earthquakes and Structures
N2  - 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.
KW  - vault
KW  - macro-element
KW  - equivalent stiffness
KW  - truss
KW  - churches
Y1  - 2017
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/eas.2017.12.4.409
SN  - 2092-7614 (Print)
SN  - 2092-7622 (Online)
VL  - 12
IS  - 4
SP  - 409
EP  - 423
PB  - Techno-Press
CY  - Taejŏn
ER  -