Discrete Element Modeling of Masonry Structures

Yield design modelling of dry joint retaining structures

“…• micro-modelling where the masonry is considered as heterogeneous; simulations differ depending on whether the medium is considered as continuous [4,5,6] or discrete [7,8]; this approach supplies plentiful information on the behaviour of the masonry but proves quite complex and time-consuming, and thus does not fit for practical purposes.…”

Mesoscale partitioned analysis of brick-masonry arches

“…Thus, over the past few decades a growing interest has developed in studying their behaviour up to collapse and assessing their ultimate load capacity. Significant laboratory and in-situ tests were carried out [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] and different analytical and numerical descriptions were proposed [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. Current modelling strategies for arches in masonry bridges are mainly based upon the use of limit analysis concepts [20][21][22], the finite element method (FEM) [13,24,25,26,27], the discrete element method [23] or discontinuous modelling techniques [19].…”

Discrete Model for Out-of-Plane Loaded Random Masonry

“…The literature dedicated to this aspect is present [3][4][5][6][7][8], but most of the existing analytical and numerical models are dedicated to the case of regular masonry. Refined numerical models such as the discrete ones [9] are able to study the behavior of independent (distinct) elements in contact with several neighbors, then they are able to represent the mechanical properties of historical masonry, that is characterized by weak and small joints with respect to strong and well-sized blocks, allowing to assume that damage occurs more frequently along joints. Furthermore, random arrangement can be taken into account without varying significantly the complexity of the discrete system and the consequent computational effort of the numerical analysis.…”