Seismic Analysis of Historical Structures using Passive Control Systems

ABSTRACT: In this paper, an integrated procedure for the seismic analysis of masonry histori-cal structures, before and after their retrofitting, is proposed. The procedure concerns three as-pects, the failure analysis of masonry structures using the finite element method, the implemen-tation of three-dimensional solid elements for the detailed consideration of out-of-plane loadings and the vulnerability evaluation of historical structures using a fragility curves dia-gram. For each aspect a developed methodology is presented. Their application is used for the evaluation of structural retrofitting using passive control systems and especially dampers. For this purpose, three case studies of existing historical structures are presented: a church with a cistern, a slender minaret and a railway arch bridge. Efficiency and applicability limits of damp-ers are discussed through the application of the proposed methodologies and conclusions are drawn concerning the intervention method and the analytical evaluation procedures.