Pere Roca

Bio: Pere Roca is an academic researcher from Polytechnic University of Catalonia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Masonry & Finite element method. The author has an hindex of 29, co-authored 103 publications receiving 2691 citations. Previous affiliations of Pere Roca include Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico.

Structural Analysis of Masonry Historical Constructions. Classical and Advanced Approaches

Abstract: A review of methods applicable to the study of masonry historical construction, encompassing both classical and advanced ones, is presented. Firstly, the paper offers a discussion on the main challenges posed by historical structures and the desirable conditions that approaches oriented to the modeling and analysis of this type of structures should accomplish. Secondly, the main available methods which are actually used for study masonry historical structures are referred to and discussed. The main available strategies, including limit analysis, simplified methods, FEM macro- or micro-modeling and discrete element methods (DEM) are considered with regard to their realism, computer efficiency, data availability and real applicability to large structures. A set of final considerations are offered on the real possibility of carrying out realistic analysis of complex historic masonry structures. In spite of the modern developments, the study of historical buildings is still facing significant difficulties linked to computational effort, possibility of input data acquisition and limited realism of methods.

Dry Joint Stone Masonry Walls Subjected to In-Plane Combined Loading

Abstract: The paper presents the results of experimental research on the structural behavior of dry joint masonry. The most relevant experimental results concern the strength response of stone dry joint masonry walls subjected to in-plane combined compressive and shear loading. Significant features of the structural behavior shown by the walls are discussed and conclusions on their ultimate capacity and observed failure mechanisms are addressed. Complementarily, the application of an existing numerical model, stemming from plasticity and based on a micromodeling strategy, is also presented and discussed with regard to its capacity to simulate the obtained experimental results. The model was calibrated with data collected from complementary tests carried out on specimens and prisms made of the same type of stone. Finally, the usage of a simplified method of analysis based on a continuum of diagonal struts is also addressed.

American Society for Testing and Materials

Abstract: The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is an independent organization devoted to the development of standards.

Structural Analysis of Masonry Historical Constructions. Classical and Advanced Approaches

Abstract: A review of methods applicable to the study of masonry historical construction, encompassing both classical and advanced ones, is presented. Firstly, the paper offers a discussion on the main challenges posed by historical structures and the desirable conditions that approaches oriented to the modeling and analysis of this type of structures should accomplish. Secondly, the main available methods which are actually used for study masonry historical structures are referred to and discussed. The main available strategies, including limit analysis, simplified methods, FEM macro- or micro-modeling and discrete element methods (DEM) are considered with regard to their realism, computer efficiency, data availability and real applicability to large structures. A set of final considerations are offered on the real possibility of carrying out realistic analysis of complex historic masonry structures. In spite of the modern developments, the study of historical buildings is still facing significant difficulties linked to computational effort, possibility of input data acquisition and limited realism of methods.

Computations on historic masonry structures

Abstract: Is modelling and analysis of historical masonry structures necessary? Is the experimental behaviour of historical masonry constructions known? The answers seem to be ‘yes’, and substantial developments have occurred in recent decades in the challenging issues of conservation and restoration. A key issue is what type of analysis should be used. It seems that all methods are of interest, depending on the actual constraints of the engineering problem. In this paper, the possibilities of analysis of historic structures are addressed and a set of guidelines is proposed.

Experimental studies of scale effects on the shear behaviour of rock joints

Abstract: The effect of scale on the shear behaviour of joints is studied by performing direct shear tests on different sized replicas cast from various natural joint surfaces. The result show significant scale effects on both the shear strength and deformation characteristics. Scale effects are more pronounced in the case of rough, undulating joint types, whereas they are virtually absent for planar joints. The key factor is the involvement of different asperity sizes in controlling the peak behaviour of different lengths of joints. It is shown that as a results both the joint roughness coefficient (JRC) and the joint compression strength (JCS) reduce with increasing scale. The behaviour of multiple jointed masses with different joint spacing is also considered. It is found that despite unchanged roughness, jointed masses consisting of many small blocks have higher peak shear strength than jointed masses with larger joint spacing. These scale effects are related to the changing stiffness of a rock mass as the block size or joint spacing increases or decreases. Economic methods for obtaining scale-free estimates of shear strength are described.