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The seismic vulnerability of school buildings located in the municipality of Trecastelli (Marche, Central Italy) is evaluated with three different numerical models: the lumped plasticity, the distributed plasticity (fibre) and the 3D Continuum FE approaches. Nonlinear static (pushover) analyses are performed to assess the global seismic behaviour of the structures, and the limitations in the representativeness respect to the reality of different approaches are analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of the medieval civic clock tower of Amatrice (Rieti-Italy) has been studied using the Non-Smooth Contact Dynamics (NSCD) method, implementing a discrete element numerical model in the LMGC90© code. Schematised as a system of rigid blocks, undergoing frictional sliding and plastic impacts, the tower has exhibited complex dynamics, because of the geometrical non-linearity and the non-smooth nature of the contact laws. Numerical simulations are performed with the aim of comparing the numerical result and the observed damages after the seismic sequence of the Central Italy earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preliminary results of an ambient-vibration based investigation conducted on the San Ciriaco Belfry in Ancona (Italy) is presented. The assessment procedure includes full-scale ambient vibration testing, modal identification from ambient vibration responses, finite element modeling and dynamic-based identification of the uncertain structural parameters of the model. As the most doubtful parameters, the modulus of elasticity of the masonry is adjusted to achieve the experimental results with numerical model by simple operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of a medieval tower, inside the Basilica of San Benedetto in Ferrara (Italy), subjected to transversal dynamic loadings has been analyzed by using a distinct element code which implements the Non-Smooth Contact dynamics method. Since the contact between blocks is governed by the Signorini's impenetrability condition and the dry-friction Coulomb's law, the tower exhibits discontinuous dynamics. The sliding motions of blocks are non-smooth functions of time. Numerical simulations are performed with the aim of investigating the influence of the friction coefficient but also of the amplitude and frequency of the excitation at the base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]