This paper is in two parts; firstly a method of numerical modelling is described that is being used to investigate the performance of masonry strengthening; secondly how more pragmatic approaches are being used for localised masonry repairs with examples taken from the Mosque of al Ghuri, Cairo. Numerical modelling based on a discrete element formulation has been employed to simulate the respon...

Non-linear static analyses are the most effective way to predict force-displacement curves of masonry structures, due to the complex non linear behaviour of masonry panels which makes inadequate any kind of linear static analyses. Nevertheless, the choice of the appropriate model to use is a matter of paramount importance, as many aspects must be taken into account in order to reach a good appr...

The main purpose of this paper is to give an overview on the state of the art of inspection, assessment and maintenance of masonry arch railway bridges by the presentation of the results of an ongoing international research project run by the International Union of Railways (UIC) with the participation of 14 railway administrations. The survey has shown that the European railways partaking in t...

Seismic assessment of masonry structures is plagued by both inherent randomness and model uncertainty. The former is referred to as aleatory uncertainty, the latter as epistemic uncertainty because it depends on the knowledge level. Pioneering studies on reinforced concrete buildings have revealed a significant influence of modeling parameters on seismic vulnerability. However, confidence in me...

ion provides the functional specification of artifacts, while implementation supports their actual construction (Blackwell, 2006). This interplay between abstraction and implementation is not unique to computing design. A structural engineer, for instance, conceives of a bridge design as an abstraction. That abstraction, earlier expressed on a drawing board and nowadays on a computer screen, th...

The potential of recycled waste polymeric materials as a substitute for aggregates in concrete has been investigated in the study. Two different types of waste polymer, namely polyurethane formaldehyde (PUF) based packaging waste and high density polyethylene (HDPE) were recycled and used in the experiment. Concrete and masonry poly block specimens were prepared using recycled polymer materials...

URM (Unreinforced Masonry) historic buildings can be generally arranged into three categories: adobe, brick and stone masonry. However, a common feature of URM structures is typically the low mechanical properties of the masonry material, especially in terms of shear strength. URM buildings are not amenable to seismic analysis, and the relatively low strength of stone and brickwork masonry ofte...

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) products are used as an alternative to traditional methods for strengthening and retrofitting concrete and masonry structures to resist blast loads. The development and experimental validation of a methodology for modeling the response of blast loaded concrete and masonry structural components retrofitted with FRP, as well as corresponding response criteria, is im...