Engineering simulations of a super-complex cultural heritage building: Ica Cathedral in Peru

Abstract

The Cathedral of Ica, Peru, is one of the four prototype buildings involved in the ongoing Seismic Retrofitting Project, initiative of the Getty Conservation Institute. The complex historical building, which was heavily damaged by earthquakes in 2007 and 2009, can be divided into two substructures: an external masonry envelope and an internal timber frame built by a construction method known as quincha technique. This study makes use of the information available in literature and the results obtained from experimental campaigns performed by Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and University of Minho. Nonlinear behaviour of masonry is simulated in the numerical models by considering specified compressive and tensile softening behaviour, while isotropic homogeneous and linear behaviour is adopted for modelling timber with appropriate assumptions on the connections. A single representative bay was initially studied by performing linear elastic analysis and verifying the compliance with the various criteria specified by the applicable normative to discuss the actual failure of Ica Cathedral. Afterwards, the structural behaviour of the two substructures composing the Cathedral is evaluated independently. Finally, the interaction of these two substructures is investigated by performing structural analysis on the entire structure of Ica Cathedral. Several structural analysis techniques, including eigenvalue, nonlinear static and dynamic analyses, are performed in order to: (1) evaluate the dominant mode shapes of the structure; (2) validate the numerical models by reproducing the structural damage observed in-situ; (3) estimate the structural performance; and (4) identify the main failure mechanisms.

Structural assessment and seismic vulnerability of earthen historic structures. Application of sophisticated numerical and simple analytical models

“…Therefore, an isotropic material model seems to be the most adequate and validated for adobe masonry e.g. in Pereira et al 2016, Tarque et al 2014, and for monumental buildings in Varum et al 2014, Ciocci et al 2017and Asteris et al 2014. Notably, studies of combined responses, from dynamic nonlinear analyses and shaking table tests in masonry buildings, showed good agreement and correlation, in terms of collapse mechanisms and crack formation, e.g.…”

Prediction and verification of compressive strength of historical masonry structures with artificial neural network

“…E is the modulus of elasticity of masonry unit and fc. The value of a ranges between 200 and 1000 according to Tomazevic [12,13] and a value of 550 is suggested in FEMA 306 [14,15], even though the proposed value in Eurocode 6 is 1000 [15]. Tsoutrelis and Exadaktylos [16] proposed Equation 2.…”

Technologies for Seismic Retrofitting and Strengthening of Earthen and Masonry Structures: Assessment and Application

“…Four prototype buildings in Peru have been adopted: Casa Arones is a representative example of a two stories mansion, located in the heart of Cusco, constructed at the end of the 16 th century; the Church of Kuño Tambo, a religious adobe structure of the 17 th century, in the Cusco region; Hotel El Comercio, situated in Lima, a typical three-story patio mansion, L-shaped, built around two interior courtyards, dating back to middle 19 th century, and, Ica Cathedral, a highly complex timbermasonry structure of the 18 th century, with parts of adobe and brick masonry on the exterior envelope, in the city of Ica. The latter is addressed here and further details are given in Ciocci et al (2018).…”