Seismic response of stone masonry spires: Computational and experimental modeling

Analytical methods provide a global context from which to understand the dynamics of stone spires, but computational and experimental methods are useful to predict more specific behavior of multiple block structures. In this paper, the spire of St. Mary Magdalene church in Waltham-on-the-Wolds, UK, which was damaged in the 2008 Lincolnshire Earthquake, is used as a case study. Both a physical model and a discrete element computational model of the spire were created and used to investigate collapse under constant horizontal acceleration, impulse base motion, and earthquake ground motion. Results indicate that the global behavior compares well with analytical modeling, but local block displacements evident in DEM and experimental results also reduce the stability of the structure. In this context, the observed damage to St. Mary Magdalene church is evaluated and discussed.

► Comparison of physical modeling and discrete element computational modeling for a real stone spire. ► Quantification of seismic impulse resistance and comparison with analytical modeling. ► Shake table experimental testing of a stone spire scale model. ► Evaluation of the seismic damage of a real stone spire due to low amplitude seismic motion.