Discontinuous approaches for nonlinear dynamic analyses of an ancient masonry tower (original) (raw)

Non-Linear Dynamic Analyses for Seismic Assessment of Ancient Masonry Towers

2006

In 2002 the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan was included in UNESCO’s list of endangered world heritage monuments. The world’s second tallest minaret is in a precarious state due to severe inclination and deterioration of masonry’s mechanical strength. Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) of the site revealed a low hazard level with peak ground acceleration of 0.04g for a 475-year return period. Earlier investigations on the tower’s seismic vulnerability under linear response showed that, despite low level of seismic hazard at Jam, current state of stresses at the minaret’s base due to the inclination could be consistently increased by seismic loading probably initiating cracks that can threaten the tower’s stability. This paper illustrates results of non-linear dynamic analyses of the tower which integrate findings from the previous study on linear analyses. Seismic input for the non-linear analysis was obtained from deaggregation of the outcome of the PSHA. This allowed ide...