Asia-Pacific Conference on FRP in Structures (APFIS 2007)
S.T. Smith (ed)
© 2007 International Institute for FRP in Construction
283
FINITE ELEMENT AND LIMIT ANALYSIS
OF THE LARGE SCALE MODEL OF MUSTAFA PASHA MOSQUE IN SKOPJE
STRENGTHENED WITH FRP
R. Landolfo, F. Portioli, O. Mammana and F.M. Mazzolani
University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy
ABSTRACT
This paper is concerned with the analysis of the seismic performance of the historical monument Mustafa Pasha
Mosque in Skopje strengthened with FRP. The study was carried out by means of finite element and limit
analysis. The main aim of numerical investigations was to control the response of the structure during the
shaking table tests carried out on both the original and reinforced large scale model of the Mosque that was built
at the IZIIS Laboratory in Skopje. In order to properly evaluate the structural interactions among the different
parts of the specimen, a three dimensional finite element model of the Mosque was implemented. All the main
elements of the building were simulated accurately, including the openings and the pendentives connecting the
walls with the dome. In addition, a simplified modelling approach based on the limit equilibrium analysis of
collapse mechanisms was developed in order to evaluate the ultimate load of both original and reinforced model.
The results obtained from finite element and limit analysis were compared with the experimental outcome,
showing the differences between the predicted and measured seismic capacity for each phase of the test
programme. The evolution of partial and global collapse mechanisms observed during the tests has been also
analyzed on the basis of numerical results.
KEYWORDS
FRP, masonry, strengthening, FE analysis, limit analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The present work is a part of the research project “Earthquake protection of historical buildings by reversible
mixed technologies”, whose acronym is PROHITECH, which falls into Sixth Framework Programme of
European Commission.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of FRP in seismic strengthening of the Mustafa
Pasha Mosque in Skopje.
Figure 1. The large scale model of the original and strengthened Mosque built at the IZIIS Laboratory in
Skopje.