Seismic Response of a Stone Masonry Spire

Abstract eng:
Stone masonry spires are vulnerable to seismic loading. Computational methods are often used to predict the dynamic linear elastic response of masonry spires, but this approach is significantly limited to the point when the first masonry joint begins to open. In this paper, analytical and computational modeling methods are used to address the full dynamic response of masonry spires until collapse. An analytical framework is first presented, which addresses both the elastic oscillation response and the rigid rocking response of masonry spires. In this context, the seismic response of the spire of the church of St. Mary Magdalene in Waltham on the Wolds, United Kingdom, which was damaged in the 2008 Lincolnshire Earthquake, is addressed. Both analytical and computational discrete element modeling are applied to predict the response to a variety of base accelerations. Results of both methods are compared to evaluate their utility and to understand the seismic damage which occurred.

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