A method for determining contact parameters in discrete element modeling: application to masonry pagodas

A method for determining contact parameters in discrete element modeling: application to masonry pagodas | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article A method for determining contact parameters in discrete element modeling: application to masonry pagodas Mingdong Li, Junlong Lu, Defa Wang, Xiaoqin Wu, Xin Jia, Dongxu Mao, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8485373/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The discrete element method (DEM) is an effective approach for simulating seismic cracking and damage processes in ancient masonry pagodas. Accurate representation of masonry behavior and dynamic fracture characteristics requires a reasonable determination of contact parameters between block elements. To address this, a contact parameter selection method for the model based on the physical properties of materials ( α p method) is proposed, incorporating mechanical property tests of masonry under different stress states and referring to the shaking table test results of the Xuanzang Pagoda model in China. It is applied to analyze block interface shear displacements, displacement time histories at monitoring points, and peak displacements of the pagoda model under different seismic conditions. The numerical results are compared with both the elastic theory-based method ( α e method) and experimental measurements. Findings indicate that the α p method provides a more reasonable simulation of the dynamic effects of the pagoda model and the dynamic transmission behavior of the internal infill. Under strong seismic excitation, the error between the predicted dynamic response of the pagoda and the shaking table test results is only 16.3%, which is reduced by 50% compared with the α e method. This approach more effectively captures material deformation and the typical characteristics of seismic damage evolution in pagodas. This research offers a useful reference for discrete element simulations of failure modes and seismic mechanisms in historic masonry structures. Ancient masonry pagoda Discrete element method Shear stiffness Dynamic analysis Seismic damage Full Text Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8485373","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":570456411,"identity":"0f20179b-8c27-458b-b5f1-5a834a3794b1","order_by":0,"name":"Mingdong Li","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAsUlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACPgYGgwMSBhJybOztB4jTwsbAYPjAosLCmI/nTALRWowNKs5UJM6TcDAgUovY4W0SN9sk0tskGBIYflRsI0KLdFqZ5Mw2idw26cYDjD1nbhOjJcdMWhKkReZAAjNjG7Fa/gIdxiaRYEC0FmMDiTMSCaRoSSt8IFEhYdgGDOSDRPmFXzp5AzAq6+Tl29sPPvhRQYQWFHCARPWjYBSMglEwCnABANmmNg0JcjDpAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0424-6005","institution":"Xi'an University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mingdong","middleName":"","lastName":"Li","suffix":""},{"id":570456412,"identity":"47f94bf3-d482-4909-beca-239db46bd10f","order_by":1,"name":"Junlong Lu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Junlong","middleName":"","lastName":"Lu","suffix":""},{"id":570456413,"identity":"c0c012f6-9072-4787-95c2-99eb65eeeef7","order_by":2,"name":"Defa Wang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Defa","middleName":"","lastName":"Wang","suffix":""},{"id":570456414,"identity":"cf4c5b16-009b-483d-8e10-78028ad10ae2","order_by":3,"name":"Xiaoqin Wu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Xiaoqin","middleName":"","lastName":"Wu","suffix":""},{"id":570456415,"identity":"80571188-b9f4-487f-8e73-4735c6f06860","order_by":4,"name":"Xin Jia","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Xin","middleName":"","lastName":"Jia","suffix":""},{"id":570456416,"identity":"f4ad14ac-fa6c-4988-8ae9-1807b4dc7b24","order_by":5,"name":"Dongxu Mao","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Dongxu","middleName":"","lastName":"Mao","suffix":""},{"id":570456417,"identity":"af34cb9d-c574-4891-8712-9da579940648","order_by":6,"name":"Zhenshan Wang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zhenshan","middleName":"","lastName":"Wang","suffix":""},{"id":570456418,"identity":"c014e5e4-f26a-4c53-bcee-677db4fd5fdc","order_by":7,"name":"Zuoyi Yun","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zuoyi","middleName":"","lastName":"Yun","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-12-31 03:22:54","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8485373/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8485373/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":99768265,"identity":"2d3ccf72-8d42-4326-ad48-204ffb09e8cb","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:00","extension":"xml","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":12485,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"beeeBEEED2501253.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/608389509ea0b8900eabae99.xml"},{"id":99768247,"identity":"1df6c870-2415-43e4-a47a-4426e0593453","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:57","extension":"xml","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":930,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"BEEED250125322613.go.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/093021d8777275ba67d4c1a1.xml"},{"id":99798388,"identity":"90efc7d3-34eb-4f3a-968f-0aaf4c5d9b9a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:48:09","extension":"xml","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":886,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"BEEED2501253Import.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/459a2048f8afeff279fb9aa2.xml"},{"id":99768273,"identity":"d82c5fdf-4547-4975-904d-4f5c89311813","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:01","extension":"xml","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":85360,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"BEEED25012530enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/101bac9da945649ce96e2ce1.xml"},{"id":99768285,"identity":"9a6b93c7-2b97-43f8-8ff5-88e0a42de0c6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:03","extension":"jpeg","order_by":5,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":121514,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/8145871ef0f095600e970a1a.jpeg"},{"id":99768258,"identity":"4fe09637-f400-4534-a11a-6330cad68604","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:59","extension":"jpeg","order_by":6,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":501513,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage10.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/3d7af4a19e2e262274d1e113.jpeg"},{"id":99768277,"identity":"43c9c67e-49c9-455b-b6f9-370f3bf12203","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:02","extension":"jpeg","order_by":7,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":385902,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage11.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/51f1fb1f9df691ab933e8b18.jpeg"},{"id":99768257,"identity":"5e9bc7f1-b728-4937-90e0-180a4ba1576b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:59","extension":"jpeg","order_by":8,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":678987,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage12.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/685788d0270b81e3003a24cb.jpeg"},{"id":99799040,"identity":"6df3c3a9-3592-4a51-8c35-7ca45003df38","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:49:10","extension":"jpeg","order_by":9,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":620419,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage13.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/4e1ec79e6d523d5cc077f8d2.jpeg"},{"id":99799224,"identity":"099faeed-389d-411e-8506-35a32a4e35ec","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:49:22","extension":"jpeg","order_by":10,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":561270,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage14.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/0269f5dc5dd796703d870936.jpeg"},{"id":99768287,"identity":"ea8e5b43-6890-4120-83db-b26e2f26b493","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:03","extension":"jpeg","order_by":11,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":940869,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage15.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/df3586194f3da128845c3470.jpeg"},{"id":99768286,"identity":"cc12e040-66a5-4bf3-9dd6-c4cfe52ff2b0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:03","extension":"jpeg","order_by":12,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":1010348,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage16.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/1da8577bc39b1fdc81175126.jpeg"},{"id":99768350,"identity":"bd15d173-2000-4e2d-8feb-fd762001a101","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:11","extension":"jpeg","order_by":13,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":261347,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage17.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/a6a900721045e1bce8de8e6d.jpeg"},{"id":99768254,"identity":"2658f169-1ac0-4500-ba15-5a37074bd1d9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:59","extension":"jpeg","order_by":14,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":250937,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage18.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/523c4b1087943338fece2bfa.jpeg"},{"id":99798912,"identity":"5a39aa6f-ba41-432a-b116-abba582874d1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:49:01","extension":"jpeg","order_by":15,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":543167,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/63443aa10c5125bc1392e9ec.jpeg"},{"id":99768328,"identity":"1722922a-f8d7-4a7c-b626-8cf762e31a6d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:04","extension":"jpeg","order_by":16,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":320122,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/5abf85a8c1c02c725c4feae3.jpeg"},{"id":99768280,"identity":"d87fef90-b39a-4a75-866d-bd0667c83b6f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:03","extension":"jpeg","order_by":17,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":481877,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage4.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/09f4b81587498c31f2568a44.jpeg"},{"id":99768355,"identity":"68e293aa-f89c-460c-8b1b-68c3a0608af7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:12","extension":"jpeg","order_by":18,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":214114,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage5.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/0c055b0b9166098a770c8a47.jpeg"},{"id":99768356,"identity":"d1c8dec4-96a6-4aea-a5af-f5a5392d8439","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:12","extension":"jpeg","order_by":19,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":332386,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage6.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/72e37fe7561fe8d53d52249c.jpeg"},{"id":99768253,"identity":"37dd9858-d78f-4ec8-b00c-4dbc52b52bbe","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:59","extension":"jpeg","order_by":20,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":566344,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage7.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/47e7b054dae8b0ba432c83d2.jpeg"},{"id":99768354,"identity":"f7ab86fb-b645-4de8-b943-203da99734c6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:12","extension":"jpeg","order_by":21,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":722174,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage8.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/a54519eeb0d3ffc68aba8908.jpeg"},{"id":99798344,"identity":"7a73abb2-518b-42e2-b4d2-1d6656320036","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:48:01","extension":"jpeg","order_by":22,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":556176,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage9.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/cd164235d82f201cb4921346.jpeg"},{"id":99768240,"identity":"e35fded3-95f8-4ec7-a0c8-37a433f29336","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:53","extension":"wmf","order_by":23,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":680,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"image13.wmf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/b8b0ea35ee1a53ac7668eabc.wmf"},{"id":99768369,"identity":"96dd2d03-3d50-4a57-a692-d0b9a336a0bb","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:14","extension":"wmf","order_by":24,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":680,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"image14.wmf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/9e47631647cd432bf49050ca.wmf"},{"id":99768318,"identity":"f6182ee3-746e-40f4-bc1b-1e7a973e7f04","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:04","extension":"wmf","order_by":25,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":1106,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"image2.wmf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/851020437798c1418c058770.wmf"},{"id":99768251,"identity":"cc6a1554-a5d3-4d59-8350-19a3accd23c4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:58","extension":"wmf","order_by":26,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":836,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"image3.wmf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/34a7d5632cb5478fcd6aea42.wmf"},{"id":99768275,"identity":"fa1e18c8-6da8-4cec-a434-d5dacc41ebfc","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:02","extension":"wmf","order_by":27,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":900,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"image4.wmf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/4a7bdd315e93a332aacc9ca7.wmf"},{"id":99768329,"identity":"68213558-7840-4507-a425-e9b34bca15d6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:05","extension":"wmf","order_by":28,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":608,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"image6.wmf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/726d45c30b1b56252b1ab3ea.wmf"},{"id":99768245,"identity":"2c5d687e-f224-4650-8a6d-8d6da79aeb33","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:57","extension":"png","order_by":29,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":23414,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/541f41817c6a4e5ab7e1af21.png"},{"id":99797545,"identity":"3cc6f285-81e1-4c8c-a60c-47db45353c50","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:46:00","extension":"png","order_by":30,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":104382,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage10.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/7c82e91a9b52aa666e1cc8f5.png"},{"id":99798392,"identity":"22578f3b-2127-4768-84b7-8a690a965fb1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:48:10","extension":"png","order_by":31,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":114489,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage11.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/d66ff60118f65d8d571ec6e3.png"},{"id":99797919,"identity":"8ee2aeaa-3611-420c-a82d-8886a503fcc0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:46:54","extension":"png","order_by":32,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":139810,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage12.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/de79d0f4c560897c64a29945.png"},{"id":99768276,"identity":"6a5c23b6-7458-4fac-9a86-4ce058238778","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:02","extension":"png","order_by":33,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":159070,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage13.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/8d540bd622882efdddea3f13.png"},{"id":99768292,"identity":"336c8a2b-48c6-4aea-86e9-f5b734651628","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:03","extension":"png","order_by":34,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":118507,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage14.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/438c109eb97d6b1c09d55141.png"},{"id":99798375,"identity":"12bf5cfa-6ea5-4971-9613-2e604aa4bf91","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:48:07","extension":"png","order_by":35,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":176070,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage15.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/df6689ea8236c3cf4b574ced.png"},{"id":99768264,"identity":"df78ae68-c52c-4c60-9f82-cb77f258267a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:00","extension":"png","order_by":36,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":194298,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage16.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/afb52245a642125d1cea0d95.png"},{"id":99768293,"identity":"34b83116-e11d-43d0-b9c0-2f09b9de4849","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:04","extension":"png","order_by":37,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":42424,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage17.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/1867cb42dd5fa6bfa25be881.png"},{"id":99768351,"identity":"9a6620af-dda9-44aa-9e2c-21691af5c422","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:12","extension":"png","order_by":38,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":40696,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage18.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/3ade118891fcb7966662a9f0.png"},{"id":99768242,"identity":"c45d313f-fc34-46d6-afd1-7ae2c4e11ae4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:54","extension":"png","order_by":39,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":208362,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/b1bde0f2ccc54d15fb0b5795.png"},{"id":99798655,"identity":"8d6127c1-a2c5-466b-bcba-c9afb58a3114","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:48:43","extension":"png","order_by":40,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":57685,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/0c3eaa5056d19e5f75149f92.png"},{"id":99768260,"identity":"8d2c5d94-e7e8-4e2d-81a2-ee1a5ac82a63","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:00","extension":"png","order_by":41,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":169279,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/1731a7f7a7b4024fbdabcece.png"},{"id":99799254,"identity":"d489283d-2c93-4f81-823c-42bd36d88721","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:49:23","extension":"png","order_by":42,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":52504,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/29d362ffcf0a11f53ccac2ed.png"},{"id":99768261,"identity":"ea4b5afa-bad7-442e-b7e0-c7b9a866df6f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:00","extension":"png","order_by":43,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":86612,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/ccaf532f921182e81df2b949.png"},{"id":99768281,"identity":"21d95e54-cc13-406f-b0ce-54f9acf62354","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:03","extension":"png","order_by":44,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":140513,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/545b96f1cd9392e4f40a1cd5.png"},{"id":99768248,"identity":"991dfe3e-2837-4cd7-bcd7-71f4996cfc28","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:25:57","extension":"png","order_by":45,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":209522,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage8.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/152c9c75d201042eade8fbc0.png"},{"id":99768334,"identity":"6ae9b657-ab71-46cc-bcbe-ab845835e1a8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:11","extension":"png","order_by":46,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":79558,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage9.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/37adea948f008457f20c9617.png"},{"id":99768363,"identity":"0a0918b8-d4a5-48b1-92d9-ff4179efc8c6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:14","extension":"png","order_by":47,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":616,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlineimage13.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/35d5a4c94b2938077867e8e3.png"},{"id":99798444,"identity":"fbe2baba-2d4a-477e-b7ed-f7a1e462d5fe","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:48:16","extension":"png","order_by":48,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":599,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlineimage14.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/d20b199851966fd3bcd7115a.png"},{"id":99768259,"identity":"4b159fbe-ba46-475b-bdc8-00e4decb633a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:00","extension":"png","order_by":49,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":1469,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlineimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/13bccefd942f3ff7be4b0142.png"},{"id":99768262,"identity":"b8114b74-e50d-4324-b235-75ffb5c51608","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:00","extension":"png","order_by":50,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":1071,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlineimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/cc1098bf448f400a03c425c2.png"},{"id":99768278,"identity":"8a43886c-61bc-4354-9ddb-fef562e462a4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:02","extension":"png","order_by":51,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":759,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlineimage4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/5105229f560646e291d8c82e.png"},{"id":99768348,"identity":"9af362ff-a23b-4d01-b8c8-9b70cef327ca","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:11","extension":"png","order_by":52,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":450,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlineimage6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/20edea50557ce61de826b61c.png"},{"id":99768352,"identity":"77dbc5cd-a238-4453-861d-e7c1f0ff94e6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 08:26:12","extension":"xml","order_by":53,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":84591,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"BEEED25012530structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/d221a731217dddb8c496920d.xml"},{"id":99798204,"identity":"30055c3a-bee9-4885-ad41-493a70aeac52","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:47:35","extension":"html","order_by":54,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":94132,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1/5f86b509456fa93206ba4fce.html"},{"id":109346989,"identity":"1558f9d8-7a49-448d-bb23-a06955181ab1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-15 22:46:24","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2485605,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ManuscriptFile.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8485373/v1_covered_d1ad97d9-a5f4-4294-af62-81704360c771.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"A method for determining contact parameters in discrete element modeling: application to masonry pagodas","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Ancient masonry pagoda, Discrete element method, Shear stiffness, Dynamic analysis, Seismic damage","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8485373/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8485373/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe discrete element method (DEM) is an effective approach for simulating seismic cracking and damage processes in ancient masonry pagodas. Accurate representation of masonry behavior and dynamic fracture characteristics requires a reasonable determination of contact parameters between block elements. To address this, a contact parameter selection method for the model based on the physical properties of materials (\u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e method) is proposed, incorporating mechanical property tests of masonry under different stress states and referring to the shaking table test results of the Xuanzang Pagoda model in China. It is applied to analyze block interface shear displacements, displacement time histories at monitoring points, and peak displacements of the pagoda model under different seismic conditions. The numerical results are compared with both the elastic theory-based method (\u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003ee\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e method) and experimental measurements. Findings indicate that the \u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e method provides a more reasonable simulation of the dynamic effects of the pagoda model and the dynamic transmission behavior of the internal infill. Under strong seismic excitation, the error between the predicted dynamic response of the pagoda and the shaking table test results is only 16.3%, which is reduced by 50% compared with the \u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003ee\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e method. This approach more effectively captures material deformation and the typical characteristics of seismic damage evolution in pagodas. This research offers a useful reference for discrete element simulations of failure modes and seismic mechanisms in historic masonry structures.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"A method for determining contact parameters in discrete element modeling: application to masonry pagodas","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-01-08 08:24:59","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8485373/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"8dba6b6b-a9f0-4713-95f8-bba430a77657","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 8th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"decision","content":"Reject after review","date":"2026-05-15T18:46:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-15T22:46:19+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-01-08 08:24:59","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8485373","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8485373","identity":"rs-8485373","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}