Seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry towers: advanced non linear dynamic modelling

The research work concerns the seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry bell towers in Italy, which is performed by comparing full non-linear dynamic analysis and non-linear static analysis. The seismic response of these structures involves a coupling between flexural and axial vibration modes, the presence of shear damage patterns, and high vibration modes causing the belfry collapse. The problem is simplified by using a plane 2D scheme. A specific Rigid Body and Spring Model is adopted to describe the in-plane dynamics including the main meso???scale damage mechanisms, by means of proper constitutive laws