Mesoscopic modelling of masonry failure

Abstract

The numerical modelling of masonry has been a popular research topic for many years. Although it is a relatively simple way of constructing, the numerical modelling of deformation in failure masonry remains a great challenge. Over the years, a number of modelling techniques have been proposed, all with their advantages and disadvantages. In practice, however, these models are not frequently used owing to their complexity and high computational effort. In this paper, joints and bricks are modelled separately. The kinematics of the joint are modelled using the generalised finite-element method (GFEM), while the brick behaviour is assumed to remain linear elastic. The joint behaviour is modelled with a cohesive zone law, based on two failure surfaces: a Rankine-type surface for mode I behaviour and a Mohr–Coulomb type surface for mode II behaviour. The fracturing of joints is governed by a decrease of stiffness within the joint. This decrease of stiffness on the local scale is implemented in a general solution scheme based on a sequentially linear approach. Several examples of this robust technique are shown.

Editorial

“…In the future mesoscale models (e.g. those developed by De Proft et al (2011) and by Milani and Lourenço (2011)) will be applied to the problem.…”

Mesoscopic Modelling of Masonry Using Gfem: A Comparison of Strong and Weak Discontinuity Models

“…In case of the weak discontinuity model, Figure 1(a), a unit ramp function is used [7,11] whereas the Heaviside step function is used in the strong discontinuity model [2], Figure 1(b). Figure 1 also shows that for the same mesh size and when modelling stack bond masonry, i.e.…”

“…the bricks and joints, to one orthotropic material whereas the latter approach models the constituents as separate entities. In this contribution, two mesoscopic masonry models are presented and compared: a model in which the joints are represented as strong discontinuities [2] and a model in which weak discontinuities are used to model the joints [11].…”

Editorial

“…The third paper, by De Proft et al (2011), describes an efficient finite-element model of masonry that treats joints and bricks separately, exploiting partition of unity shape functions. The authors use a generalised finite-element method to model the joint kinematics by means of a cohesive zone law that permits Rankine-type and Mohr-Coulomb-type failure surfaces.…”