In this study, two different numerical methods are used to model the structural behavior and failure mechanisms of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls under in-plane static loading using two simplified micro modelling approaches: The Discrete Finite Element Method (FDEM) and the Applied Element Method (AEM). …

The Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence of February 6, 2023, stands as the deadliest earthquake in Turkey during the era of instrumental seismology. A significant factor in this tragedy is the large building stock of Turkey, comprised of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, many of which are vulnerable …

Timber construction is rapidly advancing in structural engineering due to its benefits, such as light weight, ease of prefabrication, and contribution to societal goals. With an increase in building height, however, knowledge garnered by coupling advance modelling and experimental testing will enable …

Research on the structural response of large, multi-story timber buildings under horizontal loading conditions, such as wind and earthquakes, remains limited in the current literature. In particular, there is a need for improved understanding of the nonlinear behavior of these structures and how energy …

Manual crack inspection is labor-intensive and impractical at scale, prompting a shift toward AI-based segmentation methods. We present a novel crack segmentation model that leverages the Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM 2) through transfer learning to detect cracks on masonry surfaces. Unlike prior approaches …

Europe faces significant challenges in maintaining its aging infrastructure due to extreme weather events, fluctuating groundwater levels, and rising sustainability demands. Ensuring the safety and longevity of infrastructure is a critical priority, especially for public organizations responsible for …

A replacement of cars with conventional internal combustion engines (ICEs) by electric vehicles (EVs) is seen by many as a means to improve local air quality, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions. The market for EV is slowly developing with a growing number of (subsidized) manufacturers …

Post-earthquake structural damage shows that out-of-plane (OOP) wall collapse is one of the most common failure mechanisms in unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. This issue is particularly critical in Groningen, a province located in the northern part of the Netherlands, where low-intensity induced …

The seismic assessment of the out-of-plane (OOP) behaviour of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings is essential since the OOP is one of the primary collapse mechanisms in URM buildings. It is influenced by several parameters, including the poor connections between structural elements, a weakness highlighted …

''This paper aims to analyze the behavior of experimentally tested unreinforced masonry walls subjected to in-plane loading. Monotonic load analyses are conducted using FEM and AEM modeling approaches. The models presented here are based on the assumption of both unit and mortar joints modeled as solid …