Prediction of the In-Plane Response of Masonry Walls Using a Piecewise Softening Contact Model Within the Distinct Element Method

Yopi Oktiovan*, Francesco Messali, José Lemos, Bora Pulatsu, Jan Rots

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Masonry structures, integral components of architectural heritage, are diffuse worldwide and continue to be interwoven within modern infrastructures. The complex nature of their constituents has driven active research toward understanding their mechanical behavior. Accurately and robustly representing the nature of masonry constituents is essential for structural analysis, design, and preservation tasks. This study adopts an adjustable contact constitutive model recently proposed to simulate bond behavior in masonry assemblages subjected to in-plane shear-compression loading. The adopted contact constitutive model, recently proposed by the authors within the Distinct Element Method (DEM) framework, addresses the intricate behavior of unit-mortar interfaces by employing a piecewise linear softening function controlled by the user to capture the softening regime in tension and shear. Meanwhile, the compressive region of the masonry interfaces is controlled by a compressive cap with a radial return algorithm under the explicit time-marching integration scheme of DEM to implicitly couple the shear and compressive behavior. The performance of the constitutive model was assessed on a set of calcium silicate wall experiments tested under in-plane shear and compression loading and presented a comprehensive variety of failure modes. The experimental and numerical results are compared on each system’s global and local behaviors. The findings underscore the robustness of the proposed contact constitutive model in accurately capturing the complex mechanical response of masonry and highlight its potential for structural analysis and damage prediction of a diverse spectrum of masonry structures.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference - Proceedings of IB2MaC 2024
EditorsGabriele Milani, Bahman Ghiassi
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages76-92
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)9783031733130
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Event18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IB2MaC 2024 - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Duration: 21 Jul 202424 Jul 2024

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume613 LNCE
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

Conference18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IB2MaC 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityBirmingham
Period21/07/2424/07/24

Bibliographical note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care
Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

Keywords

  • Contact constitutive model
  • Distinct element method
  • In-plane shear-compression tests
  • Masonry
  • Multi-surface plasticity
  • Piecewise linear softening

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