From Terrestrial Laser Scanner Survey to Finite Element Modelling for the Dynamic Assessment of a Historic Masonry Tower: The Torre Del Borgo Case Study

Implementation of the Scan-to-BIM-to-Finite Element Modeling Workflow for Geometric Documentation and Preliminary Structural Assessment of Masonry Buildings: A Case Study

Masonry structures, frequently encountered both in traditional architecture and in historical buildings, occupy a significant place among structural system types. In these systems, the load-bearing elements typically consist of walls made of materials such as brick and stone. Performance evaluation of masonry structures requires more refined modeling processes due to their brittle behavior under seismic effects and their irregular geometric characteristics. In particular, historical masonry buildings require accurate analysis. The analysis critically depends on the precise identification of the actual geometry, material properties, and structural deficiencies. Within the scope of the study, the effectiveness of combining laser scanning technology with Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the structural analysis and condition assessment of masonry structures was investigated through a case study. Laser scanning point cloud data were processed and transferred into a digital environment. Subsequently, BIM-based software was employed to generate a three-dimensional model using the point cloud data of a historic structure located in Cappadocia, Türkiye. Then, the model was transformed into a finite element model for structural analysis. The finite element model was employed for modal characterization and preliminary structural assessment under self-weight. Throughout the process, axis controls of the walls, misalignments, irregularities, structural discontinuities, and possible structure damage were evaluated digitally to identify potentially vulnerable zones. This study applies the existing Scan-to-BIM-to-Finite Element workflow to complex historical masonry, providing a reliable and practical roadmap for geometric documentation and preliminary structural assessment of the building stock.

A case study integrating remote sensing and numerical simulation: structure characterization and mechanism investigation of a deformed rock mass

Integrated Remote Sensing and Geotechnical Modelling for the Stability Assessment of Structurally Complex Rock Masses with Natural Cavities

Reliable stability assessment of structurally complex rock masses increasingly relies on advanced remote sensing techniques integrated with detailed geotechnical analysis. This study presents a combined remote geotechnical workflow applied to rock masses surrounding natural cavities, with the study area located in Greece, aiming to evaluate the stability of coupled cavity–slope systems under varying conditions. The methodology combines Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and SLAM-based LiDAR surveying to acquire centimetre-scale surface and underground opening data. These datasets are fused into a geometrically consistent three-dimensional representation of the slope–portal–cavity system, enabling improved documentation of slope morphology, internal cave geometry and externally exposed discontinuity patterns. The fused spatial dataset was then used to extract a representative two-dimensional cavity–slope section for plane-strain finite element analysis. The numerical model was formulated as an equivalent-continuum model using the Hoek–Brown failure criterion, with stability assessed through the Shear Strength Reduction technique across multiple scenarios. Overall, the study demonstrates that integrated geotechnical and remote-sensing approaches improve geometric completeness and consistency, enhance reproducibility, and reduce geometry-related uncertainty in scenario-based stability assessments of complex rock masses with natural cavities and underground openings.

3D-DEM assessment of seismic instability in a naturally fractured wedge rock mass based on terrestrial laser scanning and DFN modeling

A Layer-Based CAD-to-FEM Workflow for Seismic Assessment of Existing Reinforced Concrete Bridges

The numerical modelling of existing reinforced concrete (RC) bridges represents one of the most time-consuming and operator-dependent phases of seismic vulnerability assessment. Although advanced nonlinear analysis procedures are widely available, the generation of finite element (FE) models is still commonly performed through manual operations, limiting modelling efficiency, repeatability, and interoperability between design and analysis environments. This paper presents a layer-based CAD-to-FEM workflow for the structured generation of simplified FE models of existing RC bridges. The proposed methodology uses a standardized layer-based CAD organization and direct DXF interoperability with MIDAS Civil to transfer a centroidal representation of the bridge into a simplified beam-based finite element model. The centroidal axes of the bridge components are extracted from the original engineering drawings and classified into dedicated structural layers, providing a structured basis for subsequent FE model generation. The proposed workflow is designed to reduce manual preprocessing operations and improve modelling consistency by organizing the structural geometry through standardized CAD layers, thereby facilitating the generation of analysis-ready models for seismic assessment. The workflow is integrated with a Multi-Modal Pushover Analysis (MPA) procedure to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of bridges characterized by multiple significant vibration modes. A case study involving an existing Italian RC bridge demonstrates the feasibility of using the proposed simplified modelling strategy within a multi-modal nonlinear seismic assessment, including the evaluation of both ductile and brittle collapse mechanisms through seismic risk indices. The proposed workflow provides a structured framework for integrating conventional engineering drawings with nonlinear seismic assessment procedures.

Parametric Evaluation of Building Height Effects on Seismic Code Compliance of RC Special Moment Frames Using OpenSeesPy

This study presents a parametric evaluation of building-height effects on the global seismic response and initial code-compliance indicators of reinforced concrete Special Moment Frames (RC-SMFs). The work is limited to linear response-spectrum analysis and global screening checks; nonlinear static analysis, non liner time-history analysis, and detailed SNI 2847 member design are outside the present scope. Three OpenSeesPy-based three dimensional models with 6, 9, and 12 stories were developed using the same structural plan, maximum analytical beam span of 9.5 m, Jakarta soft-soil seismic demand, and SNI 1726:2019 design parameters. The novelty of the study is an integrated OpenSeesPy parametric workflow that evaluates modal regularity, modal participating mass ratio, base-shear scaling, design drift, torsional response, and P-Delta stability in one SNI-oriented assessment process. The results show a regular modal sequence for all models, with Mode 1 and Mode 2 dominated by X- and Y- translation and, Mode 3 governed by torsion. As the number of stories increases, the fundamental period increases from 0.365 s to 0.537 s and 0.689 s, while the equivalent lateral force base shear increases from 7,918.73 kN to 11,878.09 kN and 15,837.45 kN. The maximum design drift increases with building height but remains far below the 2.0% allowable limit, while torsion ratios and P-Delta coefficients remain low. Thus, the adopted RC-SMF configuration satisfies the selected linear global screening checks, although final acceptance still requires nonlinear assessment and detailed member design.