Advanced Numerical Insights of an Historical Masonry Aggregate

The study examines the response of a medieval tower located in Castelraimondo village, Central Italy, to transversal dynamic loads. To gain insights into the progressive damage mechanisms and structural behavior under strong nonlinear dynamic forces an advanced numerical model is employed with Finite Element Method and Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) behavioral model. A comprehensive 3D discretization approach is used. The numerical analysis reveals the influence of the tower's actual geometries and highlights the inadequate strength of its constituent materials. The observed crack patterns following seismic activity align well with the predictions from the numerical simulations.