Abstract

LIZARRAGA, José F.  and  PEREZ GAVILAN, Juan José. Nonlinear modelling of masonry walls using contact elements. Ing. sísm [online]. 2015, n.93, pp.41-59. ISSN 0185-092X.

Finite element modeling of unreinforced and confined masonry walls under axial and lateral loads is presented to estimate the shear strength envelope. Nonlinear contact elements are used at the joints to take into account the masonry's nonlinear behaviour. Two of the most common types of failure were considered at the joints: failure in tension (Mode I) and shear failure (Mode II); in each case softening were taken into account. Consistency of results obtained using contact elements and those obtained using detailed modeling and homogenized model was verified in the elastic range. In the non linear range, the yield surface was charcterized with a trilinear model that does not include a shear strength reduction due to normal stress, unlike other authors. The effect of this consideration was studied by comparing the results obtained with numerical and experimental results reported in the literature. The main differences are discussed. Finally, a confined masonry wall tested in the laboratory was modelled to compare the experimental strength envelope with the one obtained numerically. The results obtained are quite similar.

Keywords : masonry; modeling; fracture energy; lateral strength; envelope curve.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )