Centrifuge Modelling of URM Seismic Response Using Sand-Based 3D Printing
Centrifuge Modelling of URM Seismic Response Using Sand-Based 3D Printing
Unreinforced masonry (URM) structures are particularly susceptible to seismic loading due to their inherently low strength and limited ductility. This study presents a comprehensive series of 29 centrifuge shake table tests conducted on identical small-scale physical models of a URM structure. Full-scale system-level testing under seismic conditions is often prohibitively expensive and logistically challenging, given the complexities of construction and facility requirements. To overcome these constraints, focusing on global-level modeling assumptions, 1:15 scale models were tested in the ETH Zurich Geotechnical Centrifuge Centre (GCC), ensuring dynamic similitude. The models were fabricated using additive manufacturing (3D printing) to replicate masonry-like elements. By modulating the micro-geometry of the printed components, the design effectively simulated mortar joints, enabling the use of a single printed material as a physical surrogate for traditional masonry construction. This paper details the specimen design, experimental setup, ground motion inputs, scaling principles, instrumentation, and key findings, including observed failure mechanisms. The test campaign serves as a benchmark for validating system-level assumptions in analytical and numerical models of URM structures subjected to seismic loading.
Medhat Elmorsy; Liam Jones; Manuel Wild; Antonis Katsamakas; I. Anastasopoulos; F. Michalis Vassiliou
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Special Session 1: Physical modelling – from Practice/Industry to Academia
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-434