Linear and Nonlinear Earthquake Analysis for Strength Evaluation of Masonry Monument of Neoria

Abstract

Evaluation of seismic behavior of a massive masonry monument with vaults, namely the Neoria complex at the old port of Chania, is presented here. Usage of modal response analysis requires the combination of many eigenmodes in order to capture the required amount of vibration energy. Alternatively, a number of earthquakes can be used in time domain response analysis in order to evaluate the response and subsequently the strength of the structure. Seismic codes require the usage of linear analysis. Nonlinear analysis with adequate material models will also be presented here, in order to demonstrate comparison with linear analysis and prediction of damage appearance under ultimate conditions. Results of modal analysis and linear time step analysis are comparable. Nonlinear models are very sensitive with respect to design earthquakes and material models. Therefore, at this stage their results are used for the identification of areas where interventions have to be performed very carefully.