Stochastic simulation of earthquake ground motions for the seismic assessment of monumental masonry structures: Source‐based vs site‐based approaches

Research demonstrates that both source-based and site-based stochastic simulation approaches yield similar predictions for the seismic response of monumental masonry structures. The study, focusing on the 1998 Faial earthquake (Mw = 6.2) in the Azores, simulated ground motion records at four stations using two methods: a source-based stochastic finite-fault approach and a site-based broadband stochastic method. Investigations were conducted on two masonry facades with varying slenderness levels and an existing monumental structure, São Francisco Church, which sustained damage during the earthquake. Findings indicate that even minor discrepancies in predicted damage patterns can lead to significant errors in displacement predictions, underscoring the importance of precise simulation methods for seismic assessment. This study advances understanding of how simulated ground motion records can be reliably used for the protection and analysis of heritage buildings in seismically active regions with limited real data.

Karimzadeh, S., Funari, M. F., Szabó, S., Hussaini, S. M. S., Rezaeian, S., & Lourenço, P. B. (2023). Stochastic simulation of earthquake ground motions for the seismic assessment of monumental masonry structures: Source‐based vs site‐based approaches. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 53(1), 303–330. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/eqe.4012