Parametric simulations on the stability conditions of the masonry wall of Chandakas, Heraklion City, Crete, Greece

This paper focuses on the line-segment Bembo-Saint Francis of the masonry walls of Chandakas in the city of Heraklion, Greece. The construction of the wall was decided in 1462, but 100 years were needed until the design was finalized and construction began at the beginning of the 16th century. The line-segment was constructed as part of the fortification system but, from a geotechnical point of view, acts as a gravity retaining wall, due to the existence of backfilling material. It suffered severe damages during the long siege by the Ottomans (1648-1669). Furthermore, activities and loads implied and applied by the modern operation of the city caused it to deform and swell. A numerical investigation is performed using the Finite Element code Plaxis to analyze the stability of the wall-ground system. Emphasis is given on the ways of calculating the modulus of elasticity of the wall. Parametric analyses are performed and the results indicate that neither the methods used to calculate the modulus of elasticity of the wall nor the materials of which the wall is built affect the overall stability. Finally, various methods of restoration and support are recommended, significantly increasing the safety factor.