Yan Han1, Mark J. Masia2, Stephen J. Lawrence3 and Adrian W. Page4
- Postgraduate, yan.han@studentmail.newcastle.edu.au
- Lecturer, masia@newcastle.edu.au
- Conjoint Professor, spl@bigpond.net.au
- Professor, page@newcastle.edu.au
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia
ABSTRACT
The paper presents a 3D non-linear finite element micro model capable of simulating the behaviour of masonry specimens under the simultaneous combination of horizontal and vertical bending moments and vertical compressive force. Such two way bending actions arise in masonry wall panels when supported on two or more adjacent edges and subjected to out-ofplane loads. The numerical results are compared to the results of preliminary laboratory tests using 4-unit brick specimens subjected to such actions as well as analytical predictions. In this paper, only tests in which specimens were subjected separately to one way vertical and one way horizontal bending, with vertical axial compression, were considered. The model described in this paper, which incorporates the mortar thickness and brick failure, is a refinement of the model published previously [1]. The next stage of an on going research project will focus on biaxial bending behaviour in which masonry specimens are subjected to vertical and horizontal bending moments and vertical compression simultaneously. It is hoped that such research will ultimately lead to the development of more rational design procedures for face loaded masonry walls.
KEYWORDS: unreinforced masonry, biaxial, bending, non-linear modelling, torsion
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