Dynamic identification of brick masonry semi-circular arches due to temperature and moisture

Abstract

This paper presents the effects of changes in temperature and moisture content on the dynamic properties of semi-circular arches made of clay brick and gypsum mortar constructed and tested in the laboratory. First, the mechanical properties of the materials used were determined by experimental tests. Operational Modal Analysis was then performed for each condition to measure natural frequencies, mode shapes, and modal damping ratios. An empirical equation for estimating the natural frequencies of the studied arch at different material moisture contents was proposed using the obtained results from experimental tests. Finally, the Finite Element Model Updating Method (FEMU) was applied to calibrate some of the material mechanical properties in modelled arches. In contrast to the effect of moisture, temperature changes showed a difficulty to interpret effect on the dynamic properties of the arch. On the other hand, Poisson's ratio did not affect the dynamic behaviour of the specimen.