Finite-element analysis of shear tests on masonry triplets

Abstract

The goal of this study is to develop a computational model for analyzing triplet specimens under shear loading. In order to simulate realistically the stiffness degradation and inelastic deformability during shear failure of masonry specimens, the experimental crack pattern and the estimated strength parameters were evaluated. For verification, the material assumptions and the damage theory of the numerical model were calibrated with the observed crack behavior and experimental test results. The laboratory test results and gathered data are available for numerical analysis. The objective of these numerical analyses is to determine the force-deflection relationship for better understanding of the post-cracking behavior, shear resistance and energy dissipation capacity in the joint and the bricks of real-sized masonry walls. The numerical results were also compared with the results obtained from both preliminary and recent experimental works. By using the nonlinear finite-element method in the framework of the Ansys package program, micromodeling strategies were employed for the masonry test models. Its accuracy and reliability were validated by using these gathered test data. The study carried out would help understand the masonry behavior and identify the governing factors of the complex failure process.