A Novel Limit Analysis Method Based on Rigid Elements to Evaluate the Seismic Vulnerability of a Masonry Pagoda

The novel limit analysis method proposed is tested on one masonry pagoda located in China, all characterized by very peculiar geometric features and massive walls, two crucial features needing a 3D discretization to be simulated realistically. The structure is analysed assuming two different sets of mechanical properties for masonry, one simulating an inferior material and the other a relatively good one. Two distributions of horizontal loads are applied, one proportional to the mass and the other proportional to the mass multiplied by the height. Furthermore, different directions of the entrance of the seismic load are studied, a set ofinteresting analyses in the case of complex 3D geometries.