Analytical Investigations of the Behavior and Failure of Composite Masonry Walls: Analytical and Experimental Evaluation of Composite Masonry Walls Subjected to Gravity and Earthquake Loads

摘要

The finite element method is used to investigate the behavior of composite masonry walls subjected to vertical and horizontal in-plane loads, and due to creep strains and temperature variations. A solution procedure using two-dimensional plane strain finite elements is proposed to compute correct stresses in the collar joints of composite masonry walls. An improved failure criterion for the block wythe-collar joint interface is proposed and a failure analysis procedure is presented. Failure loads in composite masonry walls of various heights using the proposed failure criterion and method of analysis are determined.