Browsing by Author "Tarque, Nicola"

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    Experimental and Numerical Assessment of the In-Plane Behaviour of PG-RM Walls with Openings
    (Springer, 2025) Vargas Carvajal, Laura Andrea; Sandoval Mandujano, Cristian; Bertolesi, Elisa; Tarque, Nicola; Calderón, Sebastián
    This paper investigates how openings affect the in-plane response of partially grouted masonry (PG-RM) walls. The effect of the openings was assessed regarding shear capacity and failure mode through the cyclic test of four façadetype walls constructed with different opening sizes and with and without asymmetry. The results show that the shear capacity decreases with the opening’s height or width increment. It is also observed that geometric asymmetry generates differences between the lateral resistances of both in-plane loading directions. In addition, a two-dimensional finite element macro model using Abaqus was validated against the experimental results. The numerical strategy implemented satisfactorily represented the shear strength and failure mode of the tested walls. Considering the high complexity of representing the PG-RM behaviour, the proposed model is suitable for reproducing the PG-RM walls’ shear resistance and could be subsequently used further to investigate the effect of openings with different configurations.
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    Model of seismic design regulations and lateral force coefficients for buildings in South America
    (2025) González, Daniela; Silva, Vitor; Acevedo, Ana Beatriz; Tarque, Nicola; Lovon, Holger; Santa María, Oyanedel Hernán; Hube Ginestar, Matías Andres; Coronel-Delgado, Gustavo; Celi, Carlos
    This study investigates the evolution and current status of seismic design regulations in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, using a pre-established methodology previously applied for Europe. It introduces a simplified methodology to estimate the proportion of buildings designed under four seismic code levels: no code, low code, moderate code, and high code. By analysing the progression of seismic design standards across South America, the study determines lateral force coefficients for a typical mid-rise reinforced concrete structure corresponding to each seismic code level. The findings reveal that approximately 20% of the total building stock, and 55% of reinforced concrete buildings, were constructed while regulations with some seismic provisions were followed. This research offers essential tools to enhance seismic risk assessment models and provides a dynamic framework for integrating new data, technological advancements, and local expertise into exposure modelling. Furthermore, it contributes to a global initiative led by the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation aimed at improving accessibility to information on seismic regulations and seismic hazard design demand maps.
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    Numerical strategy and openings-focused sensitivity study of the seismic behavior of partially grouted masonry shear walls with openings
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2025) Vargas Carvajal, Laura Andrea; Sandoval Mandujano, Cristián; Bertolesi, Elisa; Tarque, Nicola
    Partially grouted reinforced masonry (PG-RM) is a commonly used structural system in several seismic-prone countries. In recent years, experimental and numerical investigations have been conducted to identify the main parameters that influence their seismic performance. However, little attention has been devoted to investigating the influence of openings on their structural response. Although experimental tests have provided valuable insights into their behavior, numerical simulations have emerged as a complementary strategy for lower economic costs and logistical requirements. In this context, a two-dimensional finite element macro-model is implemented to simulate the in-plane behavior of PG-RM walls containing openings. The concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model is used to describe masonry's nonlinear response. The model is validated against the experimental results of four full-scale PG-RM walls previously tested by the authors. Then, considering both loading directions, an openings-focused sensitivity study is conducted to investigate their effect on the in-plane lateral response. The implemented model was capable of simulating the in-plane behavior of PG-RM walls containing openings, as good agreement was achieved between numerical results and experimental tests in terms of lateral strength and failure mode. As expected, sensitivity analysis indicated that the wall shear capacity decreased when the openings' height or width or the number of openings increased. Based on the results, this work proposes an effective height to estimate the shear capacity of PG-RM walls with openings, where the height of the pier is established as the average of the heights that constrain the pier on its sides.