Molecular dynamics-based structural mechanics of buildings' resilience

Making use of the tool-box of statistical physics, a Molecular Dynamics (MD) -based Structural Mechanics approach is proposed that is suitable for the assessment of resilience of buildings. The paper summarizes recent developments of the approach; namely Potential of Mean Force (PMF) expressions suitable for structural members for both two-body (stretch) and three-body (bending) interactions; an original potential parameter calibration procedure based on frequency spectra of structures; an illustration of the approach for a large-scale structure for the identification of the progressive structural collapse and fragility curves. It is shown that the proposed MD approach through its focus on interaction potentials is able not only to reproduce classical structural dynamics results. Most importantly, by redefining structural mechanics within the context of statistical physics, the approach provides a powerful means of determining a damage (bond-loss) inventory of buildings required for the assessment of resilience of buildings.