Non linear homogenization techniques to solve masonry structures problems

RICARDO D. QUINTEROS; SERGIO OLLER; LIZ G. NALLIM

COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Non linear homogenization techniques to solve masonry structures problems; Año: 2012 vol. 94 p. 724 - 730

0263-8223

The behaviour of masonry material subjected to different in-plane loading combination is studied in thiswork. The masonry is considered as a periodic composite material composed by a regular distribution ofbrick and mortar and it is analyzed using a homogenization technique. The mechanical properties of themasonry, as an orthotropic homogeneous material, depend on the geometrical and mechanical properties of the components based on the study of the equilibrium and compatibility of a basic cell. The masonry is a frictional material and its behaviour depends on the loading direction, for these reasons, a nilateral damage model is chosen for the analysis. This model describes the behaviour of brittle material subjected to tension?compressioSn cyclic loads based on the introduction of two damage variables and it assumes that the damage is due to the beginning and growth of cracks only in the mortar joints. It is considered that the bricks have a linear elastic constitutive relationship. Numerical applications are performed with a nonlinear finite element code in order to test the proposed procedure by comparing the results with those available in the literature and also with experimental data.