Field Investigation and Numerical Modeling for the Seismic Assessment of the Castle of Lanjarón, Spain Hayden Luger, Rafael Ramirez, Paloma Pineda, Paulo B. Lourenço Applied Sciences Switzerland, 2025 The Castle of Lanjarón is a 16th century stronghold located in Andalucía, Spain. After losing its military function, the castle was abandoned, leading to significant decay. Designated a national heritage site in 1985, recent efforts have sought to preserve its historical and cultural value. This study outlines an inspection and diagnosis campaign carried out on the castle. Non-destructive tests (NDTs) were employed to characterize the properties of the masonry, using both mechanical and wave-based methods. Dynamic identification was performed to determine dynamic and modal properties of the structure, which were used to develop and calibrate a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) of the west wall, based on homogenized masonry material. Limit analysis and non-linear static (pushover) analysis under various boundary conditions were conducted to determine the maximum relative load factor in the out-of-plane direction. The results were compared to the expected peak ground acceleration (PGA) of the area, showing that the maximum load capacity of the wall exceeds local seismic demands with a safety factor of 1.39. The study highlights the efficacy of pairing a homogenized macro-modeling approach with wave-based and dynamic identification methods, particularly for resource efficiency. Finally, recommendations for future conservation efforts have been provided.
Evaluating the Role of Mortar Composition on the Cyclic Behavior of Unreinforced Masonry Shear Walls Meera Ramesh, Rafael Ramirez, Miguel Azenha, Paulo B. Lourenço Materials, 2024 The mechanical behavior of unreinforced masonry (URM) shear walls under in-plane cyclic loading is crucial for assessing their seismic performance. Although masonry structures have been extensively studied, the specific influence of varying lime content in cement-lime mortars on the cyclic behavior of URM walls has not been adequately explored. This study addresses this gap by experimentally evaluating the effects of three mortar mixes with increasing lime content, 1:0:5, 1:1:6, and 1:2:9 (cement:lime:sand, by volume), on the cyclic performance of brick URM walls. Nine single-leaf wall specimens 900 mm × 900 mm were constructed and subjected to combined vertical compression and horizontal cyclic loading. Key parameters such as drift capacity, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation were measured. The results indicated that the inclusion of lime leads to a moderate improvement in drift capacity and ductility of the walls, with the 1:1:6 mix showing the highest lateral capacity (0.55 MPa), drift at cracking (0.08%), and drift at peak capacity (0.31%). Stiffness degradation and energy dissipation were found to be comparable across all mortar types. These findings suggest that partial substitution of cement with lime can enhance certain aspects of masonry performance. Further research is recommended to optimize mortar compositions for unreinforced masonry applications.
Clay-Based Grout Injection for the Consolidation of Masonry Walls at Wupatki Pueblo: An Applied Investigation L Gambilongo, RA Silva, A Barontini, R Ramirez, PB Lourenço International Journal of Architectural Heritage 20 (1), 17-37 , 2026 2026
Seismic Assessment of the National Museum of Archaeology in Lisbon, Portugal G Karanikoloudis, R Ramírez, N Mendes, PB Lourenço International Journal of Architectural Heritage 19 (12), 3564-3592 , 2025 2025
Structural Assessment of a War-Damaged Heritage Building in Lviv, Ukraine R Ramirez, A Vuoto, PB Lourenço International Conference on Recovery, Maintenance and Rehabilitation of … , 2025 2025
Modeling Approaches for Moisture Transport in Brick Masonry Walls R Ramirez, A Jiménez-Rios, B Ghiassi, PB Lourenço International Conference on Moisture in Buildings, 631-640 , 2025 2025
Advancing Built Cultural Heritage Conservation: Integration of Industry 5.0 Principles and Enabling Technologies AJ Rios, R Ramirez, ML Petrou, V Plevris, M Nogal International Conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions … , 2025 2025
Field investigation and numerical modeling for the seismic assessment of the castle of Lanjarón, Spain H Luger, R Ramirez, P Pineda, PB Lourenço Applied Sciences 15 (3), 1518 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Industry 5.0, towards an enhanced built cultural heritage conservation practice AJ Rios, ML Petrou, R Ramirez, V Plevris, M Nogal Journal of Building Engineering 96, 110542 , 2024 2024 Citations: 36
Application of mechanical modelling strategies to the hygrothermal analysis of masonry walls R Ramirez, AJ Rios, B Ghiassi, PB Lourenço European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Towards enhanced built cultural heritage conservation practices: perceptions on Industry 5.0 principles and enabling technologies A Jiménez Rios, M Nogal, V Plevris, R Ramirez, ML Petrou The Historic Environment: Policy & Practice 15 (4), 466-492 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Evaluating the Role of Mortar Composition on the Cyclic Behavior of Unreinforced Masonry Shear Walls M Ramesh, R Ramirez, M Azenha, PB Lourenço Materials 17 (18), 4443 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Shake-table testing of a stone masonry building aggregate: overview of blind prediction study I Tomić, A Penna, M DeJong, C Butenweg, AA Correia, PX Candeias, ... Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 22 (12), 5993-6035 , 2024 2024 Citations: 59
Influence of wall-to-floor connections and pounding on pre-and post-diction simulations of a masonry building aggregate tested on a shaking table N Bianchini, MP Ciocci, F Solarino, A Romanazzi, R Ramirez, J D’Anna, ... Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 22 (12), 6141-6161 , 2024 2024 Citations: 19
Simulation of blind pre-diction and post-diction shaking table tests on a masonry building aggregate using a continuum modelling approach A Aşıkoğlu, J D’Anna, R Ramirez, F Solarino, A Romanazzi, MP Ciocci, ... Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 22 (12), 6163-6193 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Moisture and Temperature Effects on Masonry Structures: The Civic Tower of Pavia as a Case Study R Ramirez, B Ghiassi, P Pineda, PB Lourenço International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, 845-865 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Long-Term Behaviour of GFRP-Reinforced Masonry Components Under Outdoor Environmental Conditions: Results After 5-Year Exposure R Ramirez, B Ghiassi, D Oliveira, PB Lourenço International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, 833-844 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Seismic assessment of a dome structure with minarets as secondary elements: The case of Soltaniyeh Dome in Iran A Feizolahbeigi, R Ramirez, PB Lourenco Structures 63, 106408 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Industry 5.0 concepts and enabling technologies, towards an enhanced conservation practice: systematic literature review protocol AJ Rios, ML Petrou, R Ramirez, V Plevris, M Nogal Open Research Europe 4, 75 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Hygro-thermo-mechanical analysis of brick masonry walls subjected to environmental actions R Ramirez, B Ghiassi, P Pineda, PB Lourenço Applied Sciences 13 (7), 4514 , 2023 2023 Citations: 18
On mechanical behavior of metal anchors in historical brick masonry: testing and analytical validation R Ramirez, R Muñoz, PB Lourenço Applied Sciences 13 (6), 3999 , 2023 2023 Citations: 14
Simulation of moisture transport in fired-clay brick masonry structures accounting for interfacial phenomena R Ramirez, B Ghiassi, P Pineda, PB Lourenço Building and Environment 228, 109838 , 2023 2023 Citations: 23
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Shake-table testing of a stone masonry building aggregate: overview of blind prediction study I Tomić, A Penna, M DeJong, C Butenweg, AA Correia, PX Candeias, ... Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 22 (12), 5993-6035 , 2024 2024 Citations: 59
Experimental characterization of moisture transport in brick masonry with natural hydraulic lime mortar R Ramirez, B Ghiassi, P Pineda, PB Lourenço Building and Environment 205, 108256 , 2021 2021 Citations: 46
Industry 5.0, towards an enhanced built cultural heritage conservation practice AJ Rios, ML Petrou, R Ramirez, V Plevris, M Nogal Journal of Building Engineering 96, 110542 , 2024 2024 Citations: 36
Development of an aeroponic system for vegetable production JL Reyes, R Montoya, C Ledesma, R Ramirez II International Symposium on Soilless Culture and Hydroponics 947, 153-156 , 2011 2011 Citations: 34
Estudio de prevalencia del consumo de drogas en escolares de Enseñanza Básica, a través de la metodología de pares J Rodríguez, AM Fernández, E Hernández, M Valdés, M Villalón, ... Revista médica de Chile 137 (6), 774-784 , 2009 2009 Citations: 27
Simulation of moisture transport in fired-clay brick masonry structures accounting for interfacial phenomena R Ramirez, B Ghiassi, P Pineda, PB Lourenço Building and Environment 228, 109838 , 2023 2023 Citations: 23
Bond behavior degradation between FRP and masonry under aggressive environmental conditions R Ramirez, H Maljaee, B Ghiassi, PB Lourenço, DV Oliveira Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures 26 (1), 6-14 , 2019 2019 Citations: 23
Diagnosis and seismic behavior evaluation of the church of São Miguel de Refojos (Portugal) R Ramírez, N Mendes, PB Lourenço Buildings 9 (6), 138 , 2019 2019 Citations: 20
Seasonal Variation of in situ Digestibility of Dry Matter, Crude Protein and Cell Wall of Total Plant Leaves and Stems of Nueces Buffelgrass ( Cenchrus ciliaris L.) RG Ramírez, R Foroughbackhch, L Hauad, J Alba-Avila, ... Journal of Applied Animal Research 20 (1), 73-82 , 2001 2001 Citations: 20
Influence of wall-to-floor connections and pounding on pre-and post-diction simulations of a masonry building aggregate tested on a shaking table N Bianchini, MP Ciocci, F Solarino, A Romanazzi, R Ramirez, J D’Anna, ... Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 22 (12), 6141-6161 , 2024 2024 Citations: 19
Hygro-thermo-mechanical analysis of brick masonry walls subjected to environmental actions R Ramirez, B Ghiassi, P Pineda, PB Lourenço Applied Sciences 13 (7), 4514 , 2023 2023 Citations: 18
Seismic assessment of a dome structure with minarets as secondary elements: The case of Soltaniyeh Dome in Iran A Feizolahbeigi, R Ramirez, PB Lourenco Structures 63, 106408 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
On mechanical behavior of metal anchors in historical brick masonry: testing and analytical validation R Ramirez, R Muñoz, PB Lourenço Applied Sciences 13 (6), 3999 , 2023 2023 Citations: 14
Industry 5.0 concepts and enabling technologies, towards an enhanced conservation practice: systematic literature review protocol AJ Rios, ML Petrou, R Ramirez, V Plevris, M Nogal Open Research Europe 4, 75 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Seasonal dynamics of the leaf nutrient profile of 20 native shrubs in northeastern Mexico. R Foroughbakhch, JL Hernández Piñero, R Ramirez, MA Alvarado, ... 2007 Citations: 12
Towards enhanced built cultural heritage conservation practices: perceptions on Industry 5.0 principles and enabling technologies A Jiménez Rios, M Nogal, V Plevris, R Ramirez, ML Petrou The Historic Environment: Policy & Practice 15 (4), 466-492 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Simulation of blind pre-diction and post-diction shaking table tests on a masonry building aggregate using a continuum modelling approach A Aşıkoğlu, J D’Anna, R Ramirez, F Solarino, A Romanazzi, MP Ciocci, ... Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 22 (12), 6163-6193 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Nutritional value and effective degradability of crude protein in browse species from northeastern Mexico JGM Rodríguez, RG Ramírez, R Foroughbakhch Journal of Applied Animal Research 23 (1), 33-41 , 2003 2003 Citations: 7
Afectaciones psicosociales en mujeres mexicanas sobrevivientes de ataques con ácido AR Flores, R Ramírez, ELP Campos, XR Canseco, MCS Flores, ... Obtenido de https://recif. unam. mx/index. php/revista/article/view/37 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Structural analysis of the church of the Monastery of São Miguel de Refojos R Ramirez Guimaraes: University of Minho , 2016 2016 Citations: 4