Mesoscale modelling of a masonry building subjected to earthquake loading
Author(s)
Chisari, Corrado
Macorini, Lorenzo
Izzuddin, Bassam
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Masonry structures constitute an important part of the built environment and architectural heritage in seismic areas. A large number of these old structures showed inadequate performance and suffered substantial damage under past earthquakes. Realistic numerical models are required for accurate response predictions and for addressing the implementation of effective strengthening solutions. A comprehensive mesoscale modeling strategy explicitly allowing for masonry bond is presented in this paper. It is based on advanced nonlinear material models for interface elements simulating cracks in mortar joints and brick/block units under cyclic loading. Moreover, domain decomposition and mesh tying techniques are used to enhance computational efficiency in detailed nonlinear simulations. The potential of this approach is shown with reference to a case study of a full-scale unreinforced masonry building previously tested in laboratory under pseudodynamic loading. The results obtained confirm that the proposed modeling strategy for brick/block-masonry structures leads to accurate representations of the seismic response of three-dimensional (3D) building structures, both at the local and global levels. The numerical-experimental comparisons show that this detailed modeling approach enables remarkably accurate predictions of the actual dynamic characteristics, along with the main resisting mechanisms and crack patterns.
Date Issued
2020-10-21
Date Acceptance
2020-06-11
Citation
Journal of Structural Engineering, 2020, 147 (1), pp.04020294-1-04020294-14
ISSN
0733-9445
Publisher
American Society of Civil Engineers
Start Page
04020294-1
End Page
04020294-14
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume
147
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers. This material may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the American Society of Civil Engineers. This material may be found at http://cedb.asce.org
Sponsor
Commission of the European Communities
Identifier
https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ST.1943-541X.0002823
Grant Number
744400
Subjects
Civil Engineering
0905 Civil Engineering
0912 Materials Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-10-21