On the shape optimisation of the force networks of masonry structures
by Giuseppe Rocchetta; Mariella De Piano; Valentino Paolo Berardi; Fernando Fraternali
International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation (IJMRI), Vol. 4, No. 1/2, 2019

Abstract: A novel lumped stresses network approach for the analysis of the mechanical behaviour of masonry structures is presented. It is formulated through a network of lumped stresses, making use of polyhedral stress functions and a variational approximation of the continuous equilibrium problem. The proposed method allows for modelling masonry structures as no-tension elements and gives, in the case of curved masonry members, the optimised surface through a predictor-corrector procedure and the stress function describing the membrane stress. The given approach offers a useful tool for predicting the crack pattern of unreinforced masonry structures and the associated stress fields. It is validated against some benchmark case studies dealing with a hemispherical dome, a groin vault, a cloister vault and a masonry beam.

Online publication date: Tue, 11-Dec-2018

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