Parameterization and Mechanical Behavior of Multi-block Columns

The research aims at studying the mechanical behavior of a monumental structure to preserve the historical-architectural heritage as recommended by the Sustainable Development Goal 11.4 to “strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage”. This research focuses on multi‐drums classical columns, a very common typology in the architecture of ancient Mediterranean civilizations. These columns are made of stone drums of considerable size compared to its entirety, thus, their resistance to vertical and horizontal loads is entrusted to simple support and friction between the drums. So, the present paper proposes a parametric study of the geometrical characteristics, mechanical properties and interactions of the blocks with the aim of describing their influence on the dynamical response of columns, highlighting fundamental aspects concerning their vulnerability. The analysis is performed by means of the Distinct Elements Method (DEM). Many numerical analyses have been conducted to investigate the effects of parameters that influence the dynamic behavior of the examined structural elements and identifying their stability domains.