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Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 15, Number 4, April 2003 , pages 477-493
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2003.15.4.477
 


Numerical simulation of masonry shear panels with distinct element approach
Y. Zhuge and S. Hunt

 
Abstract
    Masonry is not a simple material, the influence of mortar joints as a plane of weakness is a significant feature and this makes the numerical modelling of masonry very difficult especially when dynamic (seismic) analysis is involved. In order to develop a simple numerical model for masonry under earthquake load, an analytical model based on Distinct Element Method (DEM) is being developed. At the first stage, the model is applied to simulate the in-plane shear behaviour of an unreinforced masonry wall with and without opening where the testing results are available for comparison. In DEM, a solid is represented as an assembly of discrete blocks. Joints are modelled as interface between distinct bodies. It is a dynamic process and specially designed to model the behaviour of discontinuities. The numerical solutions obtained from the distinct element analysis are validated by comparing the results with those obtained from existing experiments and finite element modelling.
 
Key Words
    distinct element method; unreinforced masonry; shear wall; failure; numerical modelling.
 
Address
School of Geosciences, Minerals and Civil Engineering, University of South Australia, SA 5095, Australia
School of Petroleum Engineering and Management, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
 

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