Mechanical behavior of leaning masonry Huzhu Pagoda

The paper has been developed in the framework of a larger research program, in which the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" (Italy) and the Yangzhou University (China) are jointly involved to study and preserve historic towers. The research aims to evaluate the risk of collapse of the Huzhu Pagoda in Songjiang County, a leaning tower built in the XI century. Mechanical properties of the masonry material have been obtained by experimental tests on small specimen and the mechanical behaviour of the structure has been evaluated via numerical models. The static analysis of this ancient pagoda constitute a prerequisite base for the evaluation of its structural behavior leading to a suitable maintenance program. The architectural characteristics and damage conditions of the pagoda are key parameters in the preparation of a complex analytical model. The pagoda leans more than six and half degrees, and exhibits some bad structural conditions. Static analysis is carried out via finite-element method in order to establish a reliable numerical model and assess the static risk. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.