Hi all,

My name is Al and I'm new to the forum. I'm a master student and for my thesis I am working on seismic analysis of the ruins of a Roman temple. I have a question about proper modeling of the platform or podium on which the temple (i.e. the columns and the architrave) stands.

There have been some previous work done on ancient Roman and Greek temples and the concensous seems to be that using discrete/distinct element method (DEM) provides the most reliable results to seismic actions. However, none of the published works discuss the proper modeling of the platforms on which the temples stand on. In some cases the podiums are not that high, but in most cases they can be quite high (in my case close to 3 meters). So in my thesis I would like to explore this aspect.

Now my innitial idea was to model the podium as a single deformable block. However, I am having a hard time characterizing the stiffness of the block. I am also not quite sure if this would give the most reliable results. The outside walls of the podium are made of large solid granite blocks on which the columns are errected. The interior is composed of stone rubble fill. An archeologist tells me that it is very common in these types of structures to have interior walls that connect the exterior walls together. However, until we find a proper antena for GPR analysis, we can't be sure what is inside the podium.

Now I am looking for some guidance on how to approach this issue. I am particularly intersted in papers that explore characterization of this heterogenious system with a homogenous block. I'm also looking to understand how the podium and its composition affects seismic wave propegation (my guess is that it will amplify it, at least in comparison to a rigid block) and how I can properly account for this amplification in my discrete element model.

I know my question is very broad, so please don't hesitate to ask for more information. I think that would be very helpful for me as well so that I can clarify my own goals and aims in my research.

Thanks in advance for your help and consideration,
Regards,
Al

YOu may want to check with the University of Sheffield in England... they have done a lot of modelling of old masonry structures.

Dik

Also check Universidade do Minho in Portugal. Prof. Paulo Lourenço has extensive experience in the modelling of ancient masonry structures.