75428 - Historic Masonry and Wood Structures M

Learning outcomes

At the end of the class, student has knowledge of the fundamentals for the analysis of historical masonry and timber structures, including the knowledge of theoretical aspects, numerical tools and experimental tools for an effective structural diagnosis of historic structures aiming at their conservation or rehabilitation. In particular, at the end of the course he/she is able to identify relevant phenomenology regarding collapse, to design provisional support and to conceive suitable reinforcement of historical building.

Course contents

MODULE 1 – MASONRY STRUCTURES

1 Introduction to Structural Masonry
1.1 Advantages and disadvantages of Structural Masonry
1.2 Morphology of historical masonry
1.3 Masonry Stonework
1.4 Masonry Brickwork
1.5 Stress distribution
1.6 Some consideration about damage and masonry arrangement

2 Masonry mechanical behavior and performances
2.1 Masonry mechanical properties
2.2 Compressive strength based on elastic theories
2.3 Local-global failure of masonry
2.4 Masonry Quality Index

3 The rigid no-tension model
3.1 The unit resistant Masonry Cell
3.2 Consideration on realistic admissible domain

4 The masonry continuum
4.1 Compatibility conditions
4.2 Photoelasticity and masonry
4.3 Displacements field and kinematic compatibility conditions
4.4 The boundary of the cracked body

5 Equilibrium and compatibility
5.1 Principle of virtual work (PVW)
5.2 Dead and live loads
5.3 Mechanism state
5.4 Collapse state
5.5 The static theorem
5.6 The kinematic theorem
5.7 Uniqueness of the collapse multiplier

6 Masonry arches: the concept of thrust and limit analysis
6.1 Introduction to masonry arches
6.2 Bearing capacity of the arch
6.2.1 Limit analysis of the arch
6.3 Minimum and maximum Thrust
6.4 Use of the limit analysis to estimate the pressure curve
6.5 Extreme lines of thrust, joints and associated mechanisms

7 Vaulted systems
7.1 Elastic solution: membrane state in cylindrical vaults
7.2 Transition from the uncracked to the cracked state. The no tension model applied to barrel vaults
7.3 Cross vaults

8 Domes
8.1 Solutions with the static approach
8.2 Membrane state in domes
8.3 From membrane state to cracked state

9 Piers
9.1 Eccentricity and masonry piers
9.2 Yokel approach for piers
9.3 Photo elastic experimental tests on prismatic rectangular dry-stone pillars

10 Overturning and rocking of masonry walls
10.1 Kinematic analysis
10.2 About safety check
10.3 Basic notions on rocking of rigid blocks

MODULE 2 – WOOD STRUCTURES

1. Wood Properties
1.1 Material anisotropy
1.2 Moisture and long duration effects
1.3 Effects of timber properties on structural analysis and detailing
1.4 Grading of wood elements
1.5 Overview of timber-based products

2. Timber Structures
2.1 Design standards for timber structures
2.2 Static design concepts within the limit design approach
2.3 Design of structural members
2.4 Fire design of timber members

3. Timber joints
3.1 Overview on traditional carpenter connections
3.2 Mechanical fastener systems
3.3 Design of timber joints and typological details

4. Diagnosis and damage analyses of wood structures
4.1 Structural typologies of wooden floors, ceilings, and roofs recurring in Italian, European and Asiatic historical buildings
4.2 Historical timber buildings
4.3 Visual and instrumental inspection techniques and reference standards
4.4 Methods for the classification of grade and essence of existing wooden members according to current code guidelines
4.5 Durability of timber structures
4.6 Damage analysis techniques of existing wooden members, carpenter joints and connections

Readings/Bibliography

MODULE 1

• Comprehensive course Handout (freely available for students)
• Statics of Historic Masonry Constructions, M. Como, Springer, 2013.
• The Stone Skeleton, J. Heyman, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
• Historic Construction and Conservation: Materials, Systems and Damage, P. Roca, P. Lourenco, A Gaetani, Routledge; 1st ed. 2019.
• Structural brickwork, A.W.Hendry, MacMillan, 1981.
• The Construction of Gothic Cathedrals, J. Fitchen, The Univ. Chicago Press, 1961.

MODULE 2

• EN 1995-1-1 (2004) (English): Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures - Part 1-1: General - Common rules and rules for buildings
• Structural Timber Design to Eurocode 5, Jack Porteous, Abdy Kermani Edited by John Wiley & Sons, 2008 ISBN 047069792X
• Structural Timber Design, Abdy Kermani Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (December 11, 1998) ISBN: 0632050918

Teaching methods

The course content will be entirely covered by the lectures. The course includes frontal lessons, individual and group tutorials, and case study analyses.

Assessment methods

A final exam will be used to assess the student’s knowledge with respect to the learning outcomes of the course. The final exam will be organized as follows:

1. Multiple choice quiz with 30 randomly selected questions and 1 exercise (40 minutes)
2. Oral colloquium

Before the end of the course, a self-evaluation multiple choice quiz will be made available to students to test their preparation.

Teaching tools

The teaching tools are projector and PC. The course includes some class sessions in which structural analysis software packages are used.

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Maria D'Altri

See the website of Francesca Ferretti