Numerical assessment of the seismic vulnerability of the historical earthen remains of the Mansourah enclosure (Tlemcen, Algeria): influence of geometry and identification of critical damage zones.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Numerical assessment of the seismic vulnerability of the historical earthen remains of the Mansourah enclosure (Tlemcen, Algeria): influence of geometry and identification of critical damage zones.
Authors:	Walid, Hanini¹ haniniwalid@gmail.com, Nadir, Boumechra¹ n_boumechra@yahoo.fr
Source:	Fracture & Structural Integrity. Apr2026, Issue 76, p183-211. 29p.
Subjects:	Elastoplasticity, Nonlinear analysis, Ancient architecture, Preservation of architecture, Earthquake hazard analysis
Geographic Terms:	Algeria
Abstract:	This article presents a numerical assessment of the seismic vulnerability of six representative geometric configurations of the historical rammed earth (RE) remains of the Mansourah enclosure in Tlemcen, Algeria. Using nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis based on the Drucker–Prager elastoplastic criterion and implemented in ANSYS software, the study evaluates the influence of geometry on damage localization under two seismic excitations: an artificial accelerogram for Tlemcen and the recorded Boumerdès earthquake of 2003. Results identify critical damage zones primarily at the base of intermediate walls, free wall ends, and thickness transition areas in towers, with tensile stresses and plastic deformations exceeding permissible limits in several configurations. The vulnerability ranking from most to least critical is Structure 05 (south tower with wall), 04 (corner wall), 01 (two towers with intermediate wall), 03 (six towers with walls), 02 (northeast tower), and 06 (mosque corner wall), highlighting the significant role of geometry in seismic response and informing priorities for conservation and reinforcement of historic RE structures. [Extracted from the article]
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Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	This article presents a numerical assessment of the seismic vulnerability of six representative geometric configurations of the historical rammed earth (RE) remains of the Mansourah enclosure in Tlemcen, Algeria. Using nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis based on the Drucker–Prager elastoplastic criterion and implemented in ANSYS software, the study evaluates the influence of geometry on damage localization under two seismic excitations: an artificial accelerogram for Tlemcen and the recorded Boumerdès earthquake of 2003. Results identify critical damage zones primarily at the base of intermediate walls, free wall ends, and thickness transition areas in towers, with tensile stresses and plastic deformations exceeding permissible limits in several configurations. The vulnerability ranking from most to least critical is Structure 05 (south tower with wall), 04 (corner wall), 01 (two towers with intermediate wall), 03 (six towers with walls), 02 (northeast tower), and 06 (mosque corner wall), highlighting the significant role of geometry in seismic response and informing priorities for conservation and reinforcement of historic RE structures. [Extracted from the article]
ISSN:	19718993
DOI:	10.3221/IGF-ESIS.76.12