Title: Estimation of the natural periods of existing masonry towers through empirical procedure

Authors: Francesco Fabbrocino

Addresses: Department of Engineering, Pegaso University, Italy

Abstract: The study and assessment of the seismic behaviour of structures, in terms of their dynamic properties, is mainly based on an accurate estimation of their modal properties and the fundamental period of vibration. In the case of historical structures, the accuracy of numerical analysis is critical because interventions have to be carefully calibrated in order to limit their invasiveness. We can obtain structural modal properties with an eigenvalue analysis of its mechanical model or with empirical correlations based on geometric parameters. The above mentioned sensitivity analysis was based on the eigenvalue problem for a Timoshenko beam. The final objective of analyses here described was the quantitative assessment of relevant geometric and mechanical parameters influence on the dynamic response of historical masonry towers in view of the development of a formulation for the prediction of the fundamental period as a function of the height.

Keywords: historical masonry towers; masonry structures; structural modal properties; dynamic response; seismic behaviour; earthquakes; historical structures; mechanical modelling; Timoshenko beams; vibration period; historic buildings.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMSS.2016.078711

International Journal of Sustainable Materials and Structural Systems, 2016 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.250 - 261

Received: 22 Jan 2015
Accepted: 30 Nov 2015
Published online: 01 Sep 2016 *

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