A numerical approach for the ultimate analysis of large masonry structures composed of multiple linear members is presented. The approach is based on the use of computer-simulated cable nets representing the equilibrium lines (or load paths) that describe the equilibrium condition of structures. Based on this description, limit analysis is applied according to the static approach. Cable net solutions complying with the limit theorems of plasticity – in particular the safe (or lower-bound) and the uniqueness theorems – are generated by means of convenient optimisation techniques. An efficient cable element is adopted with explicit analytical expressions available for the description of the deformed shape in equilibrium and the tangent stiffness matrix. This type of cable element enables the computation of very large cable nets, including a large number of individual cables, with high computational efficiency. The calculation procedure is applied to complex spatial structures and the ability of the technique to deal with such systems is illustrated by an example involving a practical assessment of a real three-dimensional masonry structure.

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