Mesoscale Modeling of a Masonry Building Subjected to Earthquake Loading

Masonry structures constitute an important part of the built environment and architectural heritage in seismic areas. A large number these old showed inadequate performance suffered substantial damage under past earthquakes. Realistic numerical models are required for accurate response predictions addressing implementation effective strengthening solutions. comprehensive mesoscale modeling strategy explicitly allowing masonry bond is presented this paper. It based on advanced nonlinear material interface elements simulating cracks mortar joints brick/block units cyclic loading. Moreover, domain decomposition mesh tying techniques used to enhance computational efficiency detailed simulations. The potential approach shown with reference a case study full-scale unreinforced building previously tested laboratory pseudodynamic results obtained confirm that proposed brick/block-masonry leads representations three-dimensional (3D) structures, both at local global levels. numerical-experimental comparisons show enables remarkably actual dynamic characteristics, along main resisting mechanisms crack patterns.