The challenges and advantages of macro modeling in ANSYS software for seismic vulnerability assessment of historic masonry structures

Abstract

This study aims at creating an advancement guideline for a software which can be used for seismic vulnerability assessment of historic masonry structures by revealing the results of an experience related to the macro modeling of a historic masonry building. The case study structure is Bergama Bedesten (15th-16th centuries) located in Bergama, Izmir, Turkey. ANSYS software is used for the Finite Element Modeling of the structure. The seismicity at its location is determined and the structural response under lateral loads is obtained together with the dynamic characteristics. Mesh design, component creation according to the used material change in structural elements, contact surface identification, the arrangement of the stress scales, and result interpretation are realized. For these stages, the challenges are discussed with the solutions. The advantageous aspects of the software are explained. For the challenges, in mesh design, the ineffectiveness of cartesian method for some elements was detected and tetrahedrons method was chosen. In contact surface identification, the overlapping portions of structural components could not be detected by the software exactly, so the manual surface separation was realized. In the stress level interpretation, the lack of assignment for material limit strength values to the analysis scale was experienced and the addition of limit values was carried out. The scale also needs manual arrangement for the increase of interval numbers of stress values to emphasize vulnerable zones. This flexibility of scale to be arranged can be seen as an advantage, as well. The 3d section and axonometric view creation provide the presentation of stress changes at inner and outer surfaces of the structure which is another positive side. © 2023 COMPDYN Proceedings. All rights reserved