DISCRETE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD APPLICATION FOR ANALYSIS OF UNREINFORCED MASONRY UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES

摘要

Unreinforced masonry underground structures are comprised of a finite number of distinct interacting blocks that have length scales relatively comparable with the underground openings of interest. Therefore, they are ideal candidates for modeling as discrete systems instead of as continuous systems. The discrete finite element method (DFEM) developed by the author to model discontinuous media consisting of blocks of arbitrary shapes is adopted for the static analysis of unreinforced masonry underground structures. The developed DFEM is based on the principles of the finite element method incorporating contact elements. DFEM considers blocks as sub-domains and represents them by solid elements. Contact elements, which are far superior to joint or interface elements, are used to model block interactions such as sliding or separation. In this study, the DFEM is briefly reviewed; then, through some illustrative examples, the applicability of the DFEM to the analysis of unreinforced masonry underground structures is examined and discussed. It is shown that the DFEM provides an efficient tool for researchers and practical engineers in designing, analyzing, and studying behavior of unreinforced masonry underground structures under static loading.