To predict the structural behaviour of ancient stone masonry walls is still a challenging task due to their strong heterogeneity. A rubble-stone masonry modeling methodology using a 2D particle model (2D-PM), based on the discrete element method is proposed given its ability to predict crack propagation by taking directly into account the material structure at the grain scale. Rubble-stone (ancient) masonry walls tested experimentally under uniaxial compression loading conditions are numerically evaluated. The stone masonry numerical models are generated from a close mapping process of the stone units and of the mortar surfaces. A calibration procedure for the stone-stone and mortar-mortar contacts based on experimental data is presented. The numerical studies show that the 2D-PM wall models can predict the formation and propagation of cracks, the initial stiffness and the maximum load obtained experimentally in traditional stone masonry walls. To reduce the simulation times, it is shown that the wall lateral numerical model adopting a coarser mortar discretization is a viable option for these walls. The mortar behaviour under compression with lateral confinement is identified as an important micro-parameter, that influences the peak strength and the ductility of rubble-masonry walls under uniaxial loading.

This paper reports on the dynamic characterisation of a Reinforced Concrete (RC) stadium grandstand module for the Sporting Stadium in Lisbon. To this aim, a three-dimensional (3D) Finite-Element (FE) numerical model, implemented according to the technical drawings of the structure, is first presented to provide preliminary estimates of the expected modal characteristics for the examined structural system. Ambient vibration tests are then carried out on the same grandstand, and used to extract the natural frequencies and vibration modes of the system, according to conventional state-of-the-art output-only modal parameter identification techniques. A sensitivity investigation and FE model updating study is hence presented for the grandstand, giving evidence of the major influencing parameters and key input data for the numerical fitting of the experimental modal testing results.