Numerical prediction of the earthquake response of classical columns using the distinct element method

In this paper, the distinct element method is used in order to predict the earthquake response of a multi‐drum marble model of a classical column. The results are compared with experimental data for an ‘identical’ specimen under the same excitation. Both the numerical analysis and the experiments were conducted in three dimensions. The results show that the distinct element method can capture quite well the main features of the response, in spite of the sensitivity of the response to even small perturbations of the characteristics of the structure or the excitation. Attention, however, should be given to the appropriate values of the joint properties to be used. In any case, it seems that the method can be used with confidence in the restoration process of ancient monuments, in order to estimate the response to expected earthquake motions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.