An Explicit Finite-Element Modeling Method for Masonry Walls Using Continuum Shell Element
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper presents an explicit finite-element (FE) model formulated using the continuum shell element to examine the behavior of unreinforced and externally strengthened masonry walls. Masonry is modeled as a homogenized material capable of producing elastic and inelastic behavior with distinct directional properties. The macroscopic properties of masonry are defined using a Hill-type and a Rankine-type yield surface to model its behavior under compression and tension, respectively, which are embedded in a VUMAT user material subroutine developed using the ABAQUS Explicit algorithm. Alongside the mechanical properties of masonry, the thickness direction properties of the continuum shell element are defined through the input file to ensure compatibility between the algorithm used in the VUMAT and the continuum shell formulation. The parameters of the FE model have been validated with the test data sets of a total of six out-of-plane and in-plane loaded masonry walls taken from three separate experimental programs reported in the literature. A close match between the experimental and FE model failure mode and load–displacement relation was observed. The model is extended to predict the behavior of externally strengthened walls, which experienced the debonding of the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) layers from the masonry substrate. A significant increase in the in-plane capacity of the strengthened walls was observed.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models and VUMAT subroutine that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The author gratefully acknowledges the contribution of Professor Manicka Dhanasekar of QUT in developing the VUMAT subroutine for modeling masonry. The author also acknowledges the high-performance computing support from the CQU-HPC team.
References
Bernat-Maso, E., L. Gil, and P. Roca. 2015. “Numerical analysis of the load-bearing capacity of brick masonry walls strengthened with textile reinforced mortar and subjected to eccentric compressive loading.” Eng. Struct. 91: 96–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.02.032.
Berto, L., A. Saetta, R. Scotta, and R. Vitaliani. 2002. “An orthotropic damage model for masonry structures.” Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 55 (2): 127–157. https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.495.
Carozzi, F. G., G. Milani, and C. Poggi. 2014. “Mechanical properties and numerical modeling of fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) systems for strengthening of masonry structures.” Compos. Struct. 107: 711–725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2013.08.026.
Ceroni, F., G. de Felice, E. Grande, M. Malena, C. Mazzotti, F. Murgo, E. Sacco, and M. R. Valluzzi. 2014a. “Analytical and numerical modeling of composite-to-brick bond.” Mater. Struct. 47 (12): 1987–2003. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-014-0382-8.
Ceroni, F., B. Ferracuti, M. Pecce, and M. Savoia. 2014b. “Assessment of a bond strength model for FRP reinforcement externally bonded over masonry blocks.” Composites, Part B 61: 147–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2014.01.028.
Derakhshan, H., D. Dizhur, M. C. Griffith, and J. M. Ingham. 2014. “In situ out-of-plane testing of as-built and retrofitted unreinforced masonry walls.” J. Struct. Eng. 140 (6): 04014022. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000960.
Dhanasekar, M., and W. Haider. 2008. “Explicit finite element analysis of lightly reinforced masonry shear walls.” Comput. Struct. 86 (1–2): 15–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2007.06.006.
Drougkas, A., P. Roca, and C. Molins. 2015. “Numerical prediction of the behavior, strength and elasticity of masonry in compression.” Eng. Struct. 90: 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.02.011.
Gattulli, V., G. Lampis, G. Marcari, and A. Paolone. 2014. “Simulations of FRP reinforcement in masonry panels and application to a historic facade.” Eng. Struct. 75: 604–618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.06.023.
Ghiassi, B., G. Marcari, D. V. Oliveira, and P. B. Lourenço. 2012. “Numerical analysis of bond behavior between masonry bricks and composite materials.” Eng. Struct. 43: 210–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2012.05.022.
Grande, E., G. Milani, and E. Sacco. 2008. “Modelling and analysis of FRP-strengthened masonry panels.” Eng. Struct. 30 (7): 1842–1860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2007.12.007.
Griffith, M. C., and J. Vaculik. 2007. “Out-of-plane flexural strength of unreinforced clay brick masonry walls.” TMS J. 25 (1): 53–68.
Hibbitt, H., B. Karlsson, and P. Sorensen. 2011. Abaqus analysis user’s manual version 6.10. Providence, RI: Dassault Systèmes Simulia.
Janaraj, T., and M. Dhanasekar. 2014. “Finite element analysis of the in-plane shear behaviour of masonry panels confined with reinforced grouted cores.” Constr. Build. Mater. 65: 495–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.04.133.
Lourenço, P. B. 2000. “Anisotropic softening model for masonry plates and shells.” J. Struct. Eng. 126 (9): 1008–1016. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2000)126:9(1008).
Macorini, L., and B. A. Izzuddin. 2014. “Nonlinear analysis of unreinforced masonry walls under blast loading using mesoscale partitioned modeling.” J. Struct. Eng. 140 (8): A4014002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000931.
Mazzotti, C., and F. S. Murgo. 2015. “Numerical and experimental study of GFRP–masonry interface behavior: Bond evolution and role of the mortar layers.” Composites, Part B 75: 212–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2015.01.034.
Milani, G., P. Lourenço, and A. Tralli. 2006. “Homogenization approach for the limit analysis of out-of-plane loaded masonry walls.” J. Struct. Eng. 132 (10): 1650–1663. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2006)132:10(1650).
Najafgholipour, M. A., M. R. Maheri, and P. B. Lourenço. 2014. “Definition of interaction curves for the in-plane and out-of-plane capacity in brick masonry walls.” Constr. Build. Mater. 55: 168–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.01.028.
Noor-E-Khuda, S. 2021. “Influence of wetting–drying cycles on compressive and flexural strength of cement mortar and CFRP-mortar bond strength.” Constr. Build. Mater. 271: 121513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121513.
Noor-E-Khuda, S., and M. Dhanasekar. 2018a. “Masonry walls under combined in-plane and out-of-plane loadings.” J. Struct. Eng. 144 (2): 04017186. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0001930.
Noor-E-Khuda, S., and M. Dhanasekar. 2018b. “Three sides supported unreinforced masonry walls under multi-directional loading.” Constr. Build. Mater. 188: 1207–1220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.144.
Noor-E-Khuda, S., and M. Dhanasekar. 2020. “On the out-of-plane flexural design of reinforced masonry walls.” J. Build. Eng. 27: 100945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100945.
Noor-E-Khuda, S., M. Dhanasekar, and D. P. Thambiratnam. 2016a. “An explicit finite element modelling method for masonry walls under out-of-plane loading.” Eng. Struct. 113: 103–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.01.026.
Noor-E-Khuda, S., M. Dhanasekar, and D. P. Thambiratnam. 2016b. “Out-of-plane deformation and failure of masonry walls with various forms of reinforcement.” Compos. Struct. 140: 262–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2015.12.028.
Parisi, F., I. Iovinella, A. Balsamo, N. Augenti, and A. Prota. 2013. “In-plane behaviour of tuff masonry strengthened with inorganic matrix–grid composites.” Composites, Part B 45 (1): 1657–1666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2012.09.068.
Pirsaheb, H., M. J. Moradi, and G. Milani. 2020. “A multi-pier MP procedure for the non-linear analysis of in-plane loaded masonry walls.” Eng. Struct. 212: 110534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110534.
Reboul, N., A. S. Larbi, and E. Ferrier. 2018. “Two-way bending behaviour of hollow concrete block masonry walls reinforced by composite materials.” Composites, Part B 137: 163–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2017.11.002.
Ridha, M., V. B. C. Tan, and T. E. Tay. 2011. “Traction–separation laws for progressive failure of bonded scarf repair of composite panel.” Compos. Struct. 93 (4): 1239–1245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2010.10.015.
Salahouelhadj, A., F. Abed-Meraim, H. Chalal, and T. Balan. 2012. “Application of the continuum shell finite element SHB8PS to sheet forming simulation using an extended large strain anisotropic elastic–plastic formulation.” Arch. Appl. Mech. 82 (9): 1269–1290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00419-012-0620-x.
Sessa, S., R. Serpieri, and L. Rosati. 2017. “A continuum theory of through-the-thickness jacketed shells for the elasto-plastic analysis of confined composite structures: Theory and numerical assessment.” Composites, Part B 113: 225–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2017.01.011.
Shin, D. K., H. C. Kim, and J. J. Lee. 2014. “Numerical analysis of the damage behavior of an aluminum/CFRP hybrid beam under three point bending.” Composites, Part B 56: 397–407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.08.030.
SIMULIA. 2017. ABAQUS analysis user’s manual: Version 17. Providence, RI: SIMULIA.
Thamboo, J., T. Zahra, and M. Asad. 2021. “Monotonic and cyclic compression characteristics of CFRP confined masonry columns.” Compos. Struct. 272: 114257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114257.
Zahra, T., A. Jelvehpour, J. A. Thamboo, and M. Dhanasekar. 2020. “Interfacial transition zone modelling for characterisation of masonry under biaxial stresses.” Constr. Build. Mater. 249: 118735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118735.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 4 • December 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 11, 2021
Accepted: Aug 31, 2021
Published online: Sep 23, 2021
Published in print: Dec 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 23, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Elide Nastri, Paolo Todisco, Macromechanical Failure Criteria: Elasticity, Plasticity and Numerical Applications for the Non-Linear Masonry Modelling, Buildings, 10.3390/buildings12081245, 12, 8, (1245), (2022).
- Amrit Ghimire, Sarkar Noor-E-Khuda, Shah Neyamat Ullah, Thuraichamy Suntharavadivel, Determination of Mohr–Coulomb failure envelope, mechanical properties and UPV of commercial cement-lime mortar, Materials and Structures, 10.1617/s11527-022-01959-z, 55, 4, (2022).
- Ghada Sahli, Hela Ben Ayed, Oualid Limam, Mohamed Aidi, Derivation of in-plane macroscopic elastoplastic behavior of ISEB masonry walls, Structures, 10.1016/j.istruc.2022.07.079, 44, (84-100), (2022).
- Mohammad Tariqul Islam, Sarkar Noor-E-Khuda, Taiki Saito, A simple infill frame with macro element masonry model for the in-plane performance of infill walls, Structures, 10.1016/j.istruc.2022.06.014, 42, (386-404), (2022).
- Sarkar Noor-E-Khuda, David P Thambiratnam, In-plane and out-of-plane structural performance of fully grouted reinforced masonry walls with varying reinforcement ratio – A numerical study, Engineering Structures, 10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.113288, 248, (113288), (2021).