Keywords: ancient masonry structures, non-linear finite-element analysis, micro-modelling strategies, interface elements.

Micro-modelling of masonry, understood as a computational strategy where both units and mortar are detailed, is a powerful tool in the analysis of this composite material. This type of approach takes the analysis down to the components level, allowing understanding of the basic phenomena that occur in masonry upon increasing loading. Several micro-modelling approaches, including continuous and discontinuous ones, are currently under investigation by the authors. The final aim of the present work is to find a model that provides a suitable description of the material behaviour, firstly, under short-term compression and, in a later stage, under long-term loading.

The results obtained using a non-linear continuous micro-model have been reported elsewhere, see [1], and will be only briefly reviewed here. In [1] it is shown that continuum micro-models largely overestimate the experimental strength of masonry prisms under uniaxial compression. Values ranging from 160 to 180% for the ratio between the predicted strength and the experimental strength were found.

Alternative modelling approaches seem, thus, to be needed. The present paper illustrates the recent advances in the research, regarding the application of discontinuous models to simulate the behaviour of masonry under compression. In the model used, a fictitious micro-structure is given to the units and mortar, composed by linear elastic polygons separated by non-linear interface elements, see Figure 1. The main results obtained and their critical discussion will be given in the paper.

1

Pina-Henriques, J., Lourenço, P.B. Testing and modelling of masonry creep and damage in uniaxial compression. Proc. 8th STREMAH, pp.151-160, 2003.

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