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Implicit Discrete Element Analysis of a Masonry Cupola Under Seismic Loads

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Abstract

In the current study, the dynamic mechanical behaviour of a masonry cupola composed of non-convex discrete elements is investigated. This cupola is designed in innovative and modern ways and was recently constructed with stone blocks in the south of France. The necessity of applying an accurate numerical modelling method being able to take into account the real geometry of each non-convex block is also presented and discussed. The stability state of this masonry structure, by considering the different levels of seismic loads is studied. In addition, the effects of changes in the contact condition between blocks, or the blocks and the structure foundation, are comprehensively investigated.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Frédéric Dubois from the Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie Civil de Montpellier, France, for his valuable remarks on the NSCD method and especially on the LMGC90 code. The authors would also like to thank Etienne Bertrand from the “Laboratoire Régional des Ponts et Chaussées de Nice” for providing the recorded data of the earthquake.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mining Engineering Department, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

    Ali Rafiee

  2. Laboratoire du Génie de l’Environnement Industriel, Ecole des Mines d’Alès, 30319 ALES CEDEX, Alès, France

    Marc Vinches

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  1. Ali Rafiee
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  2. Marc Vinches
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Correspondence to Ali Rafiee.

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Rafiee, A., Vinches, M. Implicit Discrete Element Analysis of a Masonry Cupola Under Seismic Loads. Int J Civ Eng 14, 357–367 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-016-0035-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-016-0035-0

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