Time history analysis unreinforced masonry clock tower of senate hall building

Abstract

This paper investigates the dynamic behaviour of a masonry clock tower using macro modelling approach. It is constructed at the main entrance of the Senate Hall building in 1915, the tower demonstrates fully unreinforced brick masonry construction. Visual inspections have shown substantial cracks, deterioration, and damage across masonry walls, roofs, and connections to past seismic events and environmental factors. A comprehensive assessment of material degradation extends to structural elements, containing walls, roofs, and connections, resulting in significant damage to the tower. Using in-situ surveys, photographs, and historical documentation, geometric drawings on AutoCAD, constructing a finite element model on ANSYS at actual scales. A macro modelling approach is used in modelling the structural elements and materials (brick and stone). The tower’s estimated mechanical properties, obtained through non-destructive testing, have been integrated into the FEM model. For seismic simulations in Allahabad city, EXSIM software has been employed, incorporating regional parameters like stress drop, fault length, and slip specific to the Allahabad region. Noteworthy responses on the clock tower were captured maximum at the dome’s top, including acceleration (42.354 mm/s2), deformation (0.685 mm), and velocity (9.656 mm/s). Stress responses peak at 0.024 MPa and 0.045 MPa on the second and ground floors, respectively. The study highlights the response at identified locations of the tower, corroborating on-site survey results. Severe deformities have been identified predominantly, stressing the structural and binding material deterioration. Urgent intervention is required to strengthen the tower, necessitating the incorporation of existing materials to mitigate the prevalent decline in structural and ornamental components.