Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Numerical Modeling of Historic Masonry Structures

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Vasilis SarhosisORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

The majority of historical and heritage structures around the world consist of unreinforced masonry walls. A masonry structure is composed of masonry units, such as brick or marble blocks, with or without a joint filling material, such as mortar. A masonry with a joint material is usually made of two different materials (i.e. masonry units and mortar), representing a non-homogeneous and anisotropic structural component. In other words, masonry is a discontinuous structural component whose deformations and failure mechanism are governed by its blocky behavior. Some ancient masonry structures, such as ancient columns and colonnades, are constructed without any form of joint material between the individual blocks. Therefore, the isotropic elastic continuum-based models are not suitable for the simulation of the real nonlinear behavior of masonry walls under applied load. Numerical modeling and analysis of masonry structures is one of the greatest challenges faced by structural engineers. This difficulty is attributed to the presence of joints as the major source of weakness, discontinuity and nonlinearity as well as the existence of uncertainties in the material and geometrical properties. A suitable numerical model must take into account two types of structural behavior: (1) behavior of masonry units (i.e. bricks); and (2) behavior of the joint material (i.e. mortar). In the case of ancient masonry structures without any joint material, the numerical model should be able to take into account complicated rocking and sliding of the individual blocks, which may arise during dynamic loadings, such as earthquake excitations. Numerical modeling strategies of masonry structures are divided into two distinct categories; micro-modeling and macro-modeling. In macro-modeling, a masonry element can be represented using a continuum homogenized model, usually with the finite element method, considering implicitly the effects of mortar joints. In micro-modeling of masonry elements with joint material, the interaction between masonry bricks along the joints is taken into account explicitly using interface elements and utilizing a numerical model such as discontinuous finite element models (D-FEM), discrete/distinct element methods (DEM), discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA), particle flow code (PFC) and finite-discrete element model (FDEM). In the literature, there are extensive researches on the numerical modeling and analysis of masonry structures with their particular advantages and disadvantages. In this chapter, a thorough overview of the different numerical models proposed for the analysis of masonry structures is presented, while the advantages and disadvantages of each model are pointed out. Furthermore, some comparative studies available in the literature are presented to identify the capabilities and limitations of each computational model introduced throughout this chapter. Finally, some of the general-purpose and specialized finite/discrete element commercial software packages available for numerical modeling and analysis of discontinuous masonry structures are introduced and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Asteris PG, Sarhosis V, Mohebkhah A, Plevris V, Papaloizou L, Komodromos P, Lemos JV

Editor(s): Panagiotis G. Asteris, Vagelis Plevris

Publication type: Book Chapter

Publication status: Published

Book Title: Handbook of Research on Seismic Assessment and Rehabilitation of Historic Structures

Year: 2015

Pages: 213-256

Print publication date: 12/10/2015

Online publication date: 12/10/2015

Acceptance date: 12/10/2015

Publisher: IGI Global

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-8286-3

DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-8286-3.ch007

Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item

ISBN: 9781466682863


Share