ABSTRACT
This chapter explores three-dimensional (3D) kinematic limit analysis to the problem of numerically evaluating the collapse conditions of the Frigidarium of the Baths of Diocletian under the horizontal loading caused by ground acceleration. Diocletian's Frigidarium in Rome is one of the largest vaulted structures built with unreinforced pozzolanic concrete. The capacity of the Frigidarium to resist lateral accelerations is assessed by pushover analysis based on a modified kinematic limit approach. Because of the pronounced weakness in tension of masonry material, heritage masonry structures are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. In an earlier phase of research 3D nonlinear Finite Element models were used to evaluate fracture initiation and propagation in the Frigidarium under pushover conditions represented by horizontal accelerations uniformly applied to the entire structure. The nonlinear mechanical behavior of opus caementicium was modeled using the concrete damaged plasticity formulation with material properties derived experimentally by C. Giavarini and P. F. Brune.
