Out-of-plane Dynamic Analysis of Masonry Façades Interacting with Sidewalls: Comparison of Discrete Macro-Element and Rigid-Block Modelling
by L. Giresini, C. Casapulla, B. Pantò
January 2026
January 2026
Conference: 14th International Conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions SAHC 2025At: Lausanne
The lack of efficient connections between vertical members and between horizontal diaphragms and vertical members is detrimental to the structural integrity of masonry buildings. In these cases, the simple rocking of a façade may occur during earthquakes. The rocking motion generates a bouncing effect against sidewalls that must be considered in the dynamics of the system. This contribution discusses the dynamic performance of a masonry façade selected as a case study using different modeling approaches-namely, Discrete Macro-Elements and Rigid-Block modelling. Different acceleration ground motions, that is sinusoidal accelerations with amplitude 400 cm/sec 2 and frequencies of 2, 5, and 10 Hz, and 50% of the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake, are applied to the façade. The results show a very good agreement between the two models in all the cases investigated […]
