Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry Constructions Towards Rockfall Hazard
Résumé
Impact tests on full-scale masonry panels are undertaken in order to explore the vulnerability of vernacular construction to rockfall hazards in mountainous areas. Seven 2.5 m high walls made of bricks subjected to a static gravity overload are subjected to a dynamic impact load on their centre, provided by ETAG concrete blocks launched at different energies (from 5 to 15 kJ). This experimental campaign is analysed through numerical simulations. Two different approaches have been explored: a micro-modelling based on the discrete element method (DEM) using the free software Siconos from Inria and a macro-modelling based on the finite element method (FEM) using Abaqus. Models have been adapted to the specificity of masonry structures under dynamic stress by hard shock. They show the strong influence of the overload on the resistance of the wall. The present work aims at assessing the damage generated by an impact on a masonry structure in real conditions. It also leads to question the failure characterisation of the structure after impact. On a long-term perspective, this work is intended to provide damage curves for masonry buildings and thus contribute to the development of
normative prescriptions for natural hazard prevention.