The stone pagoda in Mireuk temple site is currently restoring through the repairing process. The stone pagoda has the various construction types in the inner and outer space. Therefore, the stress concentration and structural behavior need to be considered by the analysis of various construction patterns. This study presents the structural modelling and analysis considering the discrete element analysis technique to solve the discontinuum behavior between the stone elements. In addition, the study carries out the structural performance evaluation through the various design variables for the safety security of stone pagoda.
The conclusions of this study are as follows:
1) According to the behavioral analysis of the construction stages, it occurs stress concentration phenomenon and relatively large deformation due to the infield void in some members; however, the value is too small to affect the behavior of the whole structure.
2) The behavioral analysis of the opening and back-support part shows the stress concentration in some members. Because the size of the displacement and the stress is extremely small, it is anticipated that the behavior of the stone pagoda might not be affected.
3) The behavioral analysis with the center column shows the insignificant structural role to the vertical load for the stone of the pagoda in Mireuk temple site. It is determined that the center column can hold the center of the pagoda, and it can be resisted to earthquake with the infield stone.
4) For the result of structural performance evaluation, the vertical load is satisfied with the allowable compressive strength of the material for all members. The result of the tension failure shows the safety for the main structural members. In addition, the sliding does not occur in all the main structural members from the result of sliding evaluation.
5) Because the decreasing effect of a stress difference by increasing the size of foundation stone is small, the original sized foundation stone need not to be altered. Especially, the top-shaped foundation stone is difficult to expect the mutual restrict and control of the side sway for the top base, while it is required to pay attention for construction i.e., controlling the gradient and flat level. As a result, it is considered that the flat foundation stone is more appropriate.
6) According to the result of seismic performance examination, for 1000 year-return period with earthquake magnitude 5.5, the phenomena of special-grade allowable story drift appears at the top part of pagoda, while there is no abrupt change of the center of gravity in the middle of the members. Although the sliding behavior might be appeared at the discontinuum by the alternation of vertical and horizontal stress for the roof stone, it is expected that the stone pagoda would not be collapsed and the fast restoration by the FEMA regulation could be possible.