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Abstract:
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In the structural assessment and retrofitting of historical constructions the numerical analysis of large masonry structures is a challenging problem. The nonlinear and brittle material properties of masonry present challenges for the analysis and furthermore, make the calculations themselves very demanding in computational terms. In this thesis, masonry structural members with out-of-plane loads are analyzed using a macro-modelling approach with TNO DIANA finite element software. The possibilities and advantages of using shell or solid finite elements are investigated, employing a classical rotating crack model with a fracture energy based linear softening law in tension. The comparison of shell and solid elements is carried out by means of five examples: three planar walls with different boundary conditions loaded with uniformly distributed out-of-plane pressure; a ribbed barrel vault with an asymmetrical vertical load and a four-wall masonry box-structure with mass-proportional lateral load. The results are evaluated in the linear and nonlinear range with respect to accuracy, mesh size dependency, number of integration points through the thickness of the structure, damage propagation and computational effort, among others. The effect of diffused and localized damages is also discussed. |
