Dynamic Analysis of Semi-Circular Dry-Joint Masonry Arches: Small-Scale Experiment and Discrete Element Modeling

This study presents a numerical investigation of the dynamic behavior of dry-joint unreinforced semi-circular masonry arches using the discrete element method (DEM). Masonry arches are analyzed as a system of rigid blocks, mechanically interacting with each other through relative contact displacements. First, the applied modeling strategy is validated using a small-scale tilting experiment performed on a 3D printed arch model and a custom-made rotatable platform. Then, quasi-static and dynamic analysis analyses are performed on computational models to better understand the seismic capacity of the masonry arches depending on the frequency content of the excitations, thickness-to-radius ratios, scale of the arch, and the contact stiffness values. The results of the analyses reveal the capabilities of the discrete element models on the simulation of masonry arches. Particular findings include these types of arches’ vulnerability to excitations lower than 2 Hz dominant frequency. Furthermore, the impact of scale and slenderness become more pronounced for frequencies greater than 2 Hz. Finally, it is observed that once contact stiffness values are larger than 10 GPa/m, the effect of this parameter is negligible; but it should be carefully selected at lower values.