INFLUENCE OF UNCERTAINTIES ON THE COMPOUND ROCKING FAILURE MECHANISM AFFECTING MASONRY CHURCHES

Façade overturning, with or without parts of sidewalls, is one of the most common failure mechanisms observed in single-nave masonry churches when subjected to seismic action. The slender facades and lack of floor connections make these structures more susceptible to this mechanism than other masonry typologies. Several factors, including geometry, masonry pattern, mechanical properties, and loading conditions, influence the strength and displacement capacities of these structures. This study aims to assess the impact of limited knowledge of some model parameters on the seismic assessment of single-nave masonry churches affected by the compound rocking failure mechanism. The study explores uncertainties that may arise due to incomplete surveys of the structures, and the impact of these uncertainties on the distribution of seismic behaviour is analysed through probabilistic analysis. The findings of this study highlight the importance of accurate modelling and surveying in evaluating the seismic vulnerability of single-nave masonry churches and can be useful for developing effective seismic risk mitigation strategies for these structures.