Keywords: masonry wall, interface element, softening behavior, micro modeling.

Masonry is a composite material that consists of units and mortar. Mortar joint can be modelled by using interface elements and bricks with isoparametric elements. Introducing interface elements is not new [1]. The previous research on the numerical analysis of masonry can be divided as following 1) a group used no the tension cut-off model with compressive cap model for mortar joints and elastic behavior for blocks [2], 2) a group used the tension cut-off model without compressive cap model for mortar joints either elastic-plastic behavior for block masonry [3,4] or elastic behavior for block masonry [5] and 3) a group implemented the tension cut-off model with compressive cap model for mortar joints and elastic behavior for block masonry [1,6]. Therefore based on the divisions, it is necessary to research on the masonry wall by the use of a model including the tension cut-off model with compressive cap model and elastic-plastic behavior for block masonry with simple formulation. This paper focuses with this aim on the analysis of the masonry wall.

The interface laws have been formulated in the framework of elasto-plasticity with softening behavior which occurs in the mortar joints due to shear, tensile and compressive stresses applied. The finite element formulation is based on an eight-noded isoparametric element and a six node contact element. The Von Mises criterion is used to simulate the behavior of bricks. The interface laws for contact element are formulated in order to simulate the softening behavior of mortar joints under tensile stress; also a normal linear cap model is used to limit compressive stress. The capabilities of the interface model and the effectiveness of the computational procedure have been investigated making use of a numerical example. The numerical predictions base on new tension-compression stress cut off model correlate very well with test data. Reference:

1

P.B. Lourenço, "Analysis of masonry structures with interface elements: Theory and applications", Report 03-21-22-0-01, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, 1994.

2

W.A. Thanoon, A.H. Alwathaf, J. Noorzaei, M.S. Jaafar, M.R. Abdulkadir, "Nonlinear finite element analysis of grouted and ungrouted hollow interlocking mortarless block masonry system", Engineering Structures, 30, 1560-1572, 2008. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2007.10.014

3

B. Shieh-Beygi, S. Pietruszczak, "Numerical analysis of structural masonry: mesoscale approach", Computers and Structures, 86, 1958-1973, 2008. doi:10.1016/j.compstruc.2008.05.007

4

S. Brasile, R. Casciaro, G. Formica, "Finite Element formulation for nonlinear analysis of masonry walls", Computers and Structures, 88, 135-143, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.compstruc.2009.08.006

5

G. Giambanco, S. Rizzo, R. Spallino, "Numerical analysis of masonry structures via interface models", Comput. Methods Appl. Engrg., 190, 6493-6511, 2001. doi:10.1016/S0045-7825(01)00225-0

6

R. Senthivel, P.B. Lourenço, "Finite element modelling of deformation characteristics of historical stone masonry shear walls", Engineering Structures, 31, 1930-1943, 2009. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2009.02.046

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