Comparison of different fem simulations of a wooden arch made with modular hollow blocks

The paper proposes a comparison of different numerical simulations by Finite Element Models (FEM) of an arch made of modular wooden blocks with a hollow shape. Experimental tests have been realized on a prototype of the arch and the results have been compared with the results obtained from the numerical simulations. Three different numerical modeling of the blocks have been assumed in three different models, that is beam elements, plate elements and block elements. They distinguish for the level of accuracy and the level of calculus. Results are interesting to evaluate the better compromise between accuracy and cumbersome calculus to get a reliable modeling of these kind of structures. In particular, the investigations carried out considering different levels of detail allowed to clarify the potential use of wood for structural purposes. The weakest points results to be the connections as the arch collapsed not for failure of the material, but because of its connections and the joints between the various blocks; they have to be improved and modified, especially to face wind and earthquake actions, different from the loads utilized in the present study and dangerous for lightweight structures.