Seismic performance assessment of masonry tile domes through nonlinear finite-element analysis

This article discusses a combined analytical and experimental study on the nonlinear seismic performance of two Guastavino-style masonry domes located in the United States. The seismic performance of these masonry domes is simulated with nonlinear finite-element (FE) models. To support the assumptions and decisions established during the development of the FE models, the vibration response of the domes is measured on-site and systematically compared against the numerical model predictions. Linear FE models are developed that are in close agreement with the measured natural frequencies and in visual agreement with the measured mode shapes. Next, these linear models are extended into the nonlinear range by incorporating the Drucker-Prager damage criterion. Finally, nonlinear FE models are used to assess the performance of these two domes under seismic loadings obtained from the 1940 El Centro earthquake acceleration records. The predicted displacements and internal tensile stress levels are used to make inferences about the potential behavior of these two buildings under the selected earthquake load.