Unreinforced Masonry Walls: Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis with a Unified Constitutive Model

Abstract

This paper presents a unified model for characterizing the behavior of masonry structures. The model is based on the Disturbed State Concept (DSC) with modified hierarchical single yield surface (HISS) plasticity, which is called DSC/HISS-CT and which is used to simulate the behavior of masonry structures. The model uses two HISS yield surfaces for compressive and tensile behavior. The proposed constitutive model is verified by comparing numerical predictions with results available from test data; the comparisons are found to be highly satisfactory. A new explicit formula is also presented to estimate the strength of unreinforced masonry structures.

Numerical simulation of soft brick unreinforced masonry walls subjected to lateral loads

“…In detailed micro-modelling, the unit and mortar are represented by discrete, continuum elements, while discontinuous elements represent the unit-mortar interface. This procedure is preferred to model small structures and to understand heterogeneous stresses and strains (Akhaveissy & Desai, 2011). However, the micro-modelling approach is very accurate but computationally intensive (Elgawady, Lestuzzi, & Badoux, 2006).…”

Constitutive modeling of materials and contacts using the disturbed state concept: Part 2 – Validations at specimen and boundary value problem levels

“…The DSC has been used successfully for analysis of masonry and reinforced concrete structures, Akhaveissy and Desai [31][32][33]. Here we illustrate application of DSC for reinforced concrete frames.…”

Influence of Infill Wall Configuration on Failure Modes of RC Frames

“…The plastic damage model of ABAQUS and the constitutive relation recommended by the Chinese Code for Design of Concrete Structures (GB 50010-2010) were used for the concrete. For the masonry wall, the compression constitutive relation was adopted as given in the literature [24]; the tensile constitutive relation was taken as given in the literature [25]; and the elastic modulus in compression was considered the same as that in tension; only the compression features of the foam board were considered and the graph of yield stress versus plastic strain curve is shown in Figure 12.…”