The development of a computational model for low bond strength brick masonry is described. Cracking and failure in such masonry occurs typically at the interface between the masonry units and the mortar joints. As a result software based on a 2- dimensional discrete element analysis (UDEC) was used. One feature of the research was the method used to identify the material parameters for the constitutive model. The conventional method of obtaining material parameters from the results of testing small samples of masonry was thought to be problematic. Instead, the material parameters were obtained from the results of tests carried out in the laboratory on single leaf wall panels, each containing a large opening. Each panel was subjected to a gradually increasing vertical in-plane static point load until it collapsed. The wall panel tests were also modelled using UDEC. An optimization procedure was then used to tune the parameters used initially in UDEC in order to better simulate the pre- and post-cracking behaviour and the behaviour close to collapse of the panels tested in the laboratory. Having obtained the material parameters for UDEC, the model was then validated by comparing the UDEC-predicted behaviour of wall panels different to those used to determine the material parameters, with those tested in the laboratory. Some of the panels used for the validation process were reinforced with bed joint reinforcement, others were unreinforced but were of deeper and longer span construction. Good correlation was obtained between the results from the computational model and those obtained from tests in the laboratory.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:550342 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Sarhosis, Vasilis |
| Publisher | University of Leeds |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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