Seismic and structural assessment of the perry memorial arch using finite element modeling

Historic masonry monuments are particularly vulnerable to dynamic loading due to aging materials, limited ductility, and the absence of seismic design considerations. This study presents a numerical assessment of the Perry Memorial Arch, a historic masonry structure located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, under gravity, wind, and seismic loading conditions. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed in ANSYS to evaluate stress distribution, deformation patterns, and dynamic response using static analysis, modal analysis, and nonlinear time-history analysis. The structure was modeled using macro-level material representations for stone masonry, brick masonry, and concrete, with material properties derived from code-based references due to the absence of in-situ testing data. Wind loading was evaluated in accordance with ASCE 7-16, while seismic performance was assessed using location-specific spectral parameters and selected ground-motion records with Peak Ground Accelerations (PGA) ranging from 0.10g to 0.16g. Results indicate that the arch performs satisfactorily under gravity and wind loading, although stress concentrations develop near supports under extreme wind conditions. Seismic analysis shows that the structure remains stable for PGA values up to 0.12g, while higher intensities lead to localized stress amplification, particularly in the in-plane direction. This study provides a screening-level seismic performance assessment of a historic masonry monument in a moderate seismic region and offers insights to support future retrofit planning and preservation strategies for similar heritage structures.