Numerical Interpretation of Structural Behavior of Stone Arches of Historical Storehouses Building

The paper presents the numerical analysis performed for interpreting structural behavior of an historical masonry storehouse in Trieste, Italy. The large complex subject of the study is dated back to XIX Century and it is nowadays disused and in an advanced state of deterioration. The monumental building, after a detailed survey defining geometry and characteristics, were extensively tested by means of a comprehensive experimental campaign conducted on its walls, foundations and arches. The main outcomes of the in-situ and laboratory tests allowed to defining the properties and the behavior of some structural elements. The collected experimental data allowed defining and calibrating of detailed finite element models (global and partial) of the building composed of walls, columns, arches and vaults. The main goals of the modelling were the calibration of global material parameters to obtain a correct interpretation of the experimental tests conducted and the study of behaviour and capacity of the building when subject to horizontal loadings, such those due to a seismic excitation. Furthermore, nonlinear analyses were performed to estimate the ductility of the stonework arches-vaults system, taking also into account, or excluding, the flexibility of the foundation system.