Evaluation of Masonry Walls Intersections Behavior Using Special and Ordinary Blocks

Abstract

Connections are usually critical regions in all kind of structures. The transmission of stresses between structural elements is in general the main issue. It is common in load-bearing masonry structures to build the intersections of walls through the interlocking of units. This paper aims to evaluate the behavior of masonry walls intersections built with two different blocks configurations: applying only ordinary concrete blocks with two cells and applying special concrete blocks with three cells. Two approaches are considered to evaluate the masonry intersections: specimens subjected only to vertical loads and specimens subjected to the combination of vertical and horizontal loads. A numerical study using a 3D-model is performed through the software DIANA® based on the Finite Element Method. Masonry walls are modeled using the micro-modeling which considers a discontinuous assembly of units connected by joints simulated by appropriate constitutive laws. Normal and shear stresses in interfaces are presented as well as the deformed shape of specimens.