Structural Static Evaluation of Historic Stone Building

Abstract

This thesis includes both analytical and experimental studies of the nonlinear behavior of historic buildings. The ancient historical buildings are of great importance, as they represent the architectural heritage and the image of history. Hebron contains many historical buildings, so it is necessary to preserve them in order to pass them to the future generations. Structural behavior of historical stone buildings and the mechanical properties are significantly different from that of modern structures, Also, the mechanical properties of composed old stone and mortar are not available. Accurate structural analysis of stone buildings is a true challenge. Being composed of stone units bonded by mortar, consequently, the mechanical behavior of stone buildings is characterized by complexity and a lack of homogeneity of structural building materials, in addition to differences in mechanical properties between stone units and mortar or the absence of this binding material at all. The aim of the present research is to develop an assessment method of historical stone structures, and set a formulation for non-linear static analysis, also determining the mechanical properties values of stone building materials such as modulus of elasticity and compressive strength . An experimental study was conducted in order to determine the mechanical properties of stone building materials and to validate the accuracy of the adopted modeling. Validation of the model was ensured by comparing the numerical results with the experimental results available in both the experimental chapter of the thesis and the literature. A numerical modeling study was performed based on the analysis of the structural behavior, which was carried out through a non-linear static analysis based on a macro finite element model, using a commercial program (ANSYS), nonlinear analysis gives a description of the actual behavior, and capacity of the structure. A description of the modeling, material characterization, and solution parameters was given. The result obtained when conducting the numerical analysis of the model of a Zahdeh building is that the building can bear its loads in its current condition, and it also has the ability to bear loads equivalent to two floors. The proposed methods, both in conducting experiments and structural analysis, are suitable for the structural assessment process and can be applied to similar building models to preserve, both the architectural heritage and the historic buildings. Keywords: Historical Buildings, Mechanical Properties, Compressive Strength, Stress–Strain, Modulus of Elasticity, Non-linear analysis, Macro modeling, Finite Element, ANSYS