In-plane strength domain numerical determination of hollow concrete block masonry

Abstract

Masonry wall is a composite structure formed by units linked vertically and horizontally by mortar. One of the interests in this paper is composed of hollow concrete blocks. Generally, in structural analysis of masonry wall, the determination of the limit strength presents a challenge, due to the complexity and the heterogeneity of his constituent materials. In the present paper, a numerical homogenization is used for the estimation of the strength domain of an in-plane loaded masonry by accounting for the failure of its blocks. The determination of this domain was based on a rigorous definition of the microstructure in three-dimensions, on convex analysis and on the kinematical approach in the frame of limit analysis theory. A three- dimensional periodic basic cell with a nonlinear material behavior is used. Periodic boundary conditions have been imposed on the lateral boundary of the unit cell by matching the degrees of freedom of pairs of nodes.