A Numerical Study of Non Structural Masonry Walls with Bed Joint Reinforcement subject to Flexure

摘要

This paper shows the numerical analysis of non structural masonry walls submitted to in plane bending and built with clay blocks. This behaviour is due to the excessive deformation of the load bearing structure. The walls of clay blocks were analyzed in two situations: with and without bed joint reinforcement. Models without reinforcement have been analyzed as reference specimens. In order to evaluate the improvement of structural performance with the proposed strengthening (reinforcement masonry walls) the displacements were measured in the middle of the walls, together with the crack width and the deformation of the steel bars. The program employed to carry out the numerical analyses was DIANA (version 9.1), that uses the Finite Element Method (FEM). The strategy adopted was macro-modelling and non-linear physical behaviour. The results obtained from the numerical research proved that masonry walls with bed joint show a higher first crack load, better performance in service, increased capacity and larger displacement at failure. Improvements also in relation to the ultimate limit state, which indicates that it is beneficial that bed joint reinforcement is used in non structural and structural masonry walls.