The dynamic behavior of rigid blocks has long been a central topic in Mechanics and Civil Engineering, especially since Housner’s pioneering work. Most studies have focused on symmetric blocks, which respond identically regardless of excitation direction. This model has been widely used to represent real objects such as cabinets, medical equipment, and artworks. However, many real-world blocks are asymmetric, with non-coincident geometric and mass centers, leading to different responses depending on the sign of excitation. To address this, the present study investigates the dynamics of asymmetric rigid blocks excited by one-sine pulse excitation, an area that remains relatively unexplored. The first part extends classical formulations to asymmetric blocks, deriving the rocking period and analyzing energy dissipation. The second part focuses on overturning mechanisms, building upon classifications developed for symmetric blocks. The findings highlight key differences in behavior, reveal previously unknown overturning modes in asymmetric blocks, and identify new scenarios even for symmetric blocks.

Characterization of the overturning scenario of asymmetric rigid blocks under one-sine pulse excitation

Manuel Ferretti
;
Lorenzo Amoroso;Angelo Di Egidio
2025-01-01

Abstract

The dynamic behavior of rigid blocks has long been a central topic in Mechanics and Civil Engineering, especially since Housner’s pioneering work. Most studies have focused on symmetric blocks, which respond identically regardless of excitation direction. This model has been widely used to represent real objects such as cabinets, medical equipment, and artworks. However, many real-world blocks are asymmetric, with non-coincident geometric and mass centers, leading to different responses depending on the sign of excitation. To address this, the present study investigates the dynamics of asymmetric rigid blocks excited by one-sine pulse excitation, an area that remains relatively unexplored. The first part extends classical formulations to asymmetric blocks, deriving the rocking period and analyzing energy dissipation. The second part focuses on overturning mechanisms, building upon classifications developed for symmetric blocks. The findings highlight key differences in behavior, reveal previously unknown overturning modes in asymmetric blocks, and identify new scenarios even for symmetric blocks.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11697/266159
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