A Discrete Crack Modelling Strategy for Masonry Structures

Publisher Summary Discrete modeling is known to be the most appropriate approach for simulating cracking in masonry. The fact that in many cases, masonry lies beyond the limit of application of continuum modeling, due to its heterogeneity, is outlined in this chapter. In many cases masonry lies beyond the scope of a homogeneous, continuum mechanics description. This fact and the knowledge that the joints in masonry are the weak links make a discrete strategy particularly appropriate to model cracking, shear slipping, and crushing in masonry. The chapter presents an interface material model that captures the main failure modes in masonry joints. Of particular importance is the accurate description of shearing dilatancy or uplift, as this leads to volume increases when confined, causes wedging and associated stress build-up. It is imperative to incorporate the reduction in the dilatancy coefficient with shearing displacement and normal compression, whose mechanisms smoothen the shear surface.