Masonry Components and System Modeling Using the Discrete Element Method

Abstract

This study presents the results of modeling masonry components and system under compressive and tensile strength test using 2D-DEM and 3D-DEM. This research study orientates towards assessing the effect of micro-properties, particle size scale, and particle size distribution on mechanical macro-response of masonry constituents and a masonry system from the sample preparation phase to compressive strength testing and tensile strength testing. This study provides a better understanding of particle size scale, particle size distribution, and micro-parameters influence on the mechanistic behavior of a material subject to different loading conditions. The specimens were calibrated from previous experimental tests conducted at Universidad Autonóma de Yucatan (Mexico). The initial calibrations were completed based on meso-parameters populated from the experimental data. The models showed accuracy in reproducing the experimental results. Moreover, the particle size distribution and the particle size scale showed an influence on the mechanical behavior. The concrete block–mortar interaction reproduced the confinement behavior of the mortar reported from experimental testing. In addition, the masonry prism is able to reproduce the failure mechanism and the stress-strain curves of the analytical data.