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Mechanisms detection by nonlinear finite and distinct element simulations of a historical religious masonry complex.

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Title: Mechanisms detection by nonlinear finite and distinct element simulations of a historical religious masonry complex.
Authors: Schiavoni, Mattia1 (AUTHOR), Di Giosaffatte, Martina1 (AUTHOR), Roscini, Francesca2 (AUTHOR), Clementi, Francesco1 (AUTHOR) francesco.clementi@univpm.it
Source: Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering. May2026, Vol. 24 Issue 5, p2615-2659. 45p.
Subject Terms: *Finite element method, *Discrete element method, *Structural failures, *Historic buildings, *Earthquake damage, *Computer simulation, *Masonry, *Earthquake hazard analysis
Geographic Terms: Central Italy
Abstract: The detection of collapse mechanisms in masonry structures poses a critical challenge in structural engineering, particularly when dealing with complex historical buildings under seismic loading. Masonry structures exhibit highly non-linear mechanical behaviour due to their composite nature, characterized by discontinuities, weak tensile strength, and anisotropy. Accurately capturing these failure mechanisms, which include cracking, crushing, and sliding along joints, is essential for evaluating their seismic vulnerability. This paper focuses on the mechanical challenges of simulating collapse mechanisms in a masonry historical religious complex, significantly damaged during the 2016 Central Italy earthquake. Nonlinear numerical simulations are carried out to model the structure's response to seismic loads implementing both the Finite Element Method, based on Concrete Damage Plasticity and the Distinct Element Method, studied using two different approaches: Discrete Element Method (DEM) and the Non-Smooth Contact Dynamics (NSCD). Despite their advanced properties in numerical simulation, neither method can fully capture the complexity of masonry collapse mechanisms. Instead, the combined and controlled use of both Finite and Distinct element methods enhances the predictive accuracy of the simulations. Therefore, this study aims to propose a benchmark approach for damage analysis: through a methodological cross-assessment of their respective displacement behaviours, the time-step activations corresponding to local collapse mechanisms are identified. It is then demonstrated that together, these methods offer a more comprehensive approach to detecting collapse mechanism, with reciprocal compensating for the limitations of the other. This synergistic application is essential to address the inherent complexity of masonry mechanics, including material heterogeneity and non-linear failure progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
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Header DbId: enr
DbLabel: Energy & Power Source
An: 193651665
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PubTypeId: academicJournal
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  Data: Mechanisms detection by nonlinear finite and distinct element simulations of a historical religious masonry complex.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Bulletin+of+Earthquake+Engineering%22">Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 24 Issue 5, p2615-2659. 45p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Finite+element+method%22">Finite element method</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Discrete+element+method%22">Discrete element method</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+failures%22">Structural failures</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Historic+buildings%22">Historic buildings</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Earthquake+damage%22">Earthquake damage</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+simulation%22">Computer simulation</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Masonry%22">Masonry</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Earthquake+hazard+analysis%22">Earthquake hazard analysis</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Central+Italy%22">Central Italy</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The detection of collapse mechanisms in masonry structures poses a critical challenge in structural engineering, particularly when dealing with complex historical buildings under seismic loading. Masonry structures exhibit highly non-linear mechanical behaviour due to their composite nature, characterized by discontinuities, weak tensile strength, and anisotropy. Accurately capturing these failure mechanisms, which include cracking, crushing, and sliding along joints, is essential for evaluating their seismic vulnerability. This paper focuses on the mechanical challenges of simulating collapse mechanisms in a masonry historical religious complex, significantly damaged during the 2016 Central Italy earthquake. Nonlinear numerical simulations are carried out to model the structure's response to seismic loads implementing both the Finite Element Method, based on Concrete Damage Plasticity and the Distinct Element Method, studied using two different approaches: Discrete Element Method (DEM) and the Non-Smooth Contact Dynamics (NSCD). Despite their advanced properties in numerical simulation, neither method can fully capture the complexity of masonry collapse mechanisms. Instead, the combined and controlled use of both Finite and Distinct element methods enhances the predictive accuracy of the simulations. Therefore, this study aims to propose a benchmark approach for damage analysis: through a methodological cross-assessment of their respective displacement behaviours, the time-step activations corresponding to local collapse mechanisms are identified. It is then demonstrated that together, these methods offer a more comprehensive approach to detecting collapse mechanism, with reciprocal compensating for the limitations of the other. This synergistic application is essential to address the inherent complexity of masonry mechanics, including material heterogeneity and non-linear failure progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1007/s10518-025-02125-w
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 45
        StartPage: 2615
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Finite element method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Discrete element method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Structural failures
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Historic buildings
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Earthquake damage
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer simulation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Masonry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Earthquake hazard analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Central Italy
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Mechanisms detection by nonlinear finite and distinct element simulations of a historical religious masonry complex.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Schiavoni, Mattia
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Di Giosaffatte, Martina
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Roscini, Francesca
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Clementi, Francesco
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 1570761X
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              Value: 24
            – Type: issue
              Value: 5
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering
              Type: main
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