Evaluation of the Response of a Masonry Cross Vault Subjected to Vertical Loading using the Discrete Macro-Element Method

This paper was focused on the application of an innovative modelling approach, known as the Discrete Macro-Element Method (DMEM), for simulating the experimental response of a ribbed masonry cross vault subjected to vertical loading. This numerical approach is based on a simplified mechanical scheme which can simulate the main in-plane and out-of-plane mechanisms of masonry structures. The numerical model of the ribbed masonry cross vault, described by approximately 1250 degrees of freedom, was subjected to an incremental vertical load aiming at simulating the experimental setup. Two different values of cohesion (0.05 MPa and 0.10 MPa) were taken in consideration aiming at assessing the influence of this mechanical property on the nonlinear response of the masonry specimen when subjected to vertical loading. The displacement of three monitored points as well as the vertical reaction of the numerical model were assessed and compared to those obtained experimentally. It was observed that the numerical model presented a slightly higher stiffness than the experimental one; however, it was possible to replicate the