Crack Initiation And Propagation In Unreinforced Masonry Structures Subjected To Repeated Load And Earthquake Vibrations

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractScientific

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In recent years, the gas extraction in the northern part of the Netherlands is causing induced, shallow earthquakes. Besides safety, the prediction and evaluation of ‘light’ damage due to induced ground motions is important, being related to economic and serviceability losses, and societal unrest. Hence, the initiation and propagation of cracking (related to light damage) need to be investigated. An experimental and numerical campaign is ongoing at the Delft University of Technology, aiming to improve the knowledge of the underlying physics of crack initiation and crack propagation in unreinforced masonry (URM) structures typical in the Netherlands. A damage scale and damage parameter with a look at cracking in the light damage stages are defined in order to objectively quantify the cracks in a URM structure. Different causes, among which dynamic loads (earthquake vibrations), imposed deformations, and repeated loading are investigated. The cracking mechanisms are studied for URM walls and spandrels subjected to in-plane loading. Displacements, strains and loads under which cracking starts and propagates are evaluated and correlations are sought. The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) measuring system is used to accurately detect the crack formation and the evolution of the crack pattern. This is used also to validate and calibrate FEM models. The models are used to extrapolate to situations of combined loading, difficult to accomplish experimentally. These situations include walls pre-damaged by settlement or shrinkage stresses, which also exhibit comparatively more damage when then subjected to earthquake loads. With there results, (fragility-like) indicative resistivity curves are produced.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2018
Event10th International Masonry Conference - Milan, Italy
Duration: 9 Jul 201811 Jul 2018
Conference number: 10
http://www.10imc.com/

Conference

Conference10th International Masonry Conference
Abbreviated title10th IMC
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityMilan
Period9/07/1811/07/18
Internet address

Bibliographical note

Paginering paper volgens auteur:595-609

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