Title: Experimental test on a pointed arch model monitored by contactless optical system

Authors: Paulo Šćulac; Nina Čeh

Addresses: Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 3, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia ' Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 3, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract: Although masonry pointed arches are quite widespread, there is still a lack of experimental research dealing with pre-collapse dynamics. In this paper we present an experimental study on dynamic behaviour of a scaled arch model tested on a shaking platform. A pointed arch model was constructed from identical blocks with dry joints and subjected to a sinusoidal excitation. Mortar has been omitted since in existing structures it is either often not used or it usually degrades over time. Contactless optical system consisting of two high-speed cameras was used to monitor real-time data, i.e., openings of the contacts between the blocks, since conventional sensors are difficult to apply. Hinge formation and collapse mechanism have been documented.

Keywords: masonry; pointed arch; dry joint; shaking table test; contactless measurement; digital image correlation; DIC.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2024.138376

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2024 Vol.9 No.3, pp.252 - 267

Received: 20 Jun 2022
Accepted: 08 Nov 2022
Published online: 01 May 2024 *

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