The pure sliding collapse mode of non-symmetric masonry arches: a critical review of Monasterio's contribution and an alternative formulation

Aim of the present paper is to analyze and revisit the first chapter of the Monasterio’s unpublished manuscript where the pure sliding collapse mode of non-symmetric masonry arches is investigated. As it will be shown, the Monasterio approach is of a “kinematical” type, since the collapse mechanisms are “a priori” selected and, then, some criterion is adopted to identify the collapse condition. In the present study, it will be shown that the basic assumptions of the Monasterio’s analysis are fully in agreement with the modern limit analysis. Furthermore, an alternative formulation for the assessment of the equilibrium of non-symmetric arches is given.