Failure mechanisms for historical religious buildings in Romanian seismic areas

Historic religious buildings located in seismic areas have developed different failure mechanisms. Simulation of failure modes is done using the method of failure blocks. Currently, there are simulation methodologies of failure modes based on the failure rigid blocks method only for Roman Catholic churches type. Due to differences of shape in plan, elevation and construction systems between Orthodox and Catholic churches, there were initiated researches in the development of this methodology for Orthodox churches. The theoretical results were compared with real failure modes recorded at an Orthodox church from Banat region, damaged by earthquakes of 1991. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.