Title: Overturning of multiple-block stacks - dynamic sensitivity parameters and scaling effect

Authors: Nina Čeh; Jean-Francois Camenen; Nenad Bićanić; Antonio Pellegrino; Nik Petrinić

Addresses: Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 3, Rijeka, Croatia ' Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 3, Rijeka, Croatia ' Deceased; formerly of: Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 3, Rijeka, Croatia ' Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK ' Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK

Abstract: Both experimental and computational dynamic sensitivity study of multiple-block stacks subjected to a double pulse base excitation are examined. Series of test experiments was conducted at the Oxford Impact Engineering Laboratory on a bespoke platform for a controlled double (initial and reverse) pulse base excitation history. For the computational simulations and validation, the base of the block stack was subjected to a constant acceleration of a finite duration until the desired peak-base velocity, corresponding to the measured experimental values, was achieved. Different overturning modes (forward, backward, global and partial) in both simulations and experiments were characterised as a function of the peak initial base velocity and the timing of the reverse impulse, controlled by the stop gap distance between the base and the stopper. The influence of the block sample scales has also been examined. The conducted set of validation benchmarks is believed to be valuable for researchers, code developers, safety case engineers and industry regulators.

Keywords: block stack overturning; non-smooth contact dynamics; rocking motion; multiple block stacks; dynamic sensitivity; scaling effect; double pulse base excitation; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2016.081279

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2016 Vol.1 No.4, pp.351 - 374

Received: 11 Jan 2016
Accepted: 01 Jul 2016
Published online: 01 Jan 2017 *

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