Physics-Based Ground Motion Simulations for the Prediction of the Seismic Vulnerability of Masonry Building Compounds in Mirandola (Italy)

The current paper aims at investigating the seismic capacity of a masonry building aggregate in the historical centre of Mirandola based on a reliable ground motion simulation procedure. The examined clustered building is composed of eleven structural units (SUs) mutually interconnected to each other, which are made of brick walls and are characterized by wooden floors poorly connected to the vertical structures. Non-linear static analyses are performed by adopting the 3Muri software to characterize the seismic capacity of both the entire aggregate and the individual SUs. In this framework, a multi-scenario physics-based approach is considered for the definition of the seismic input in terms of broadband seismic signals inclusive of source and site effects. Finally, the incidence of the seismic input variability is discussed for the prediction of the global capacity response of the case study building.

Energy Absorption Capacity Of Rat-Trap Bond Masonry Under Base Excitation

Brick masonry does not exhibit much capacity to resist lateral loads and hence the masonry suffers heavy damage during earthquakes, which impart lateral loads to structures. In the Bhuj earthquake of Jan 26, 2001, that occurred in majority of masonry structures failed because they were built with un-reinforced brick masonry. The EBC code of practice for brick masonry, suggests the use of lintel band and roof band that introduce a rigid box-type behavior which will help the structure to improve its performance against seismic loads. But there are no Codal provisions for use of Rat-Trap bond masonry which has been found to possess good seismic resistance characteristics. Rat-Trap bond system consists of an array of headers and stretchers with bricks laid vertically on the edge to form a cavity within a set of two headers and two stretchers. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to study the behavior of un-reinforced Rat-Trap bond masonry of two categories viz., (i) with roof slab, and (ii) without roof slab. Shock-table tests on one-third scale masonry building models ( with and without roof slabs ) were carried out to study the behavior. The peak accelerations were recorded for each shock. The scaled bricks were obtained by cutting locally available bricks using special tools. The size of the masonry models was 2m x 1m x 1m. The amount of energy imparted during each shock was measured before total collapse both for Rat-Trap bond masonry models with and without roof slabs. The results of the tests revealed that the roof weight plays an important role in the design of Rat-Trap masonry systems subject to seismic loads.

Retrofitting Memory: Retrofitting a Non-Physical Architecture

<p>This project looks at how destroyed architecture, although physically lost, fundamentally continues to exist within human memories as a non-physical entity. The site chosen is Avonside Girls’ High School in Christchurch, New Zealand, a school heavily damaged during the February 22nd earthquake in 2011. The project focuses on the Main Block, a 1930s masonry building which had always been a symbol for the school and its alumni. The key theories relevant to this are studies on non-material architecture and memory as these subjects investigate the relationship between conceptual idea and the triggering of it. This research aims to study how to fortify a thought-based architecture against neglect, similar to the retrofitting of physical structures. In doing so, the importance of the emotive realm of architecture and the idea behind a building (as opposed to the built component itself) is further validated, promoting more broadminded stances regarding the significance of the idea over the object. A new method for disaster recovery and addressing trauma from lost architecture is also acquired. Factors regarding advanced structural systems and programmes are not covered within the scope of this research because the project instead explores issues regarding the boundaries between the immaterial and material. The project methodology involves communicating a narrative derived from the memories alumni and staff members have of the old school block. The approach for portraying the narrative is based on a list of strategies obtained from case studies. The final product of the research is a new design for the high school, conveyed through a set of atmospheric drawings that cross-examines the boundaries between the physical and non-physical realms by representing the version of the school that exists solely within memories.</p>