ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the principles of the structural analysis and details of the calculation method. It presents two cases studies: a masonry arch bridge and a gothic vault. Old masonry structures are part of our cultural heritage. Old masonry monuments are kept in service if they show a sufficient level of safety. The structural analysis methodology presented is able to manage both the non-linear mechanical behavior of cracked masonry and the complex three-dimensional geometry of these structures. The homogenized strength of masonry fm, in compression, is close to that of the stone because the mortar remains confined between the blocks. A multi-scale approach Masonry is a composite material consisting of blocks bound together by mortar joints. The proposed methods are mainly based on numerical analysis and simulation of the mechanical behavior of masonry at the micro and macro scale.
