Shake-table testing of a brick masonry groin vault: overview of blind predictions and postdictions and comparison with experimental results

This paper presents the results of the blind test competition carried out within the scope of the European project SERA.ta “Seismic Response of Masonry Cross Vaults: Shaking table tests and numerical validations”. The purpose of the competition was to predict the results of a set of tests carried out on an unstrengthened full-scale cross vault with mortar joints and solid bricks (then strengthened with textile reinforced mortar) subjected to a horizontal dynamic excitation. The paper offers an overview of the modelling approaches utilised, along with their corresponding predictions and post dictions. The findings are assessed based on both the damage mechanisms and predicted values for displacements and accelerations in both directions. The results are then compared with the experimental findings. Modelling approaches utilizing the Finite Element Method (FEM) yielded the most accurate predictions regarding displacements and crack patterns. Conversely, a submission employing a Discrete Element model provided the most accurate prediction of damage mechanisms. Nonetheless, the significant discrepancies in predicted displacements and accelerations underscore the necessity for continued efforts to establish consensus on appropriate modelling assumptions for masonry vaults.