Random field and homogenization for masonry with nonperiodic microstructure

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate a method for homogenizing masonry with a nonperiodic microstructure. The proposed approach is based on the concept of the representative volume element and on the finite-size test-window method. First, the peculiarities of masonry as a composite continuum are highlighted. Then, the heterogeneity of the microstructure (elements and texture) is modeled by statistical descriptors. To improve the classical test-window method a probabilistic convergence criterion is coupled with the well-known mechanical convergence criterion. Both criteria must be met in order to check the convergence of the material window with the statistically equivalent representative volume element. An application shows the effectiveness of the proposed approach.