Characterization of the uniaxial compression behaviour of unreinforced masonry-Sensitivity analysis based on a numerical and experimental approach

摘要

Experimental testing of masonry is a difficult, expensive and time consuming process, involving the use of large facilities and a significant number of samples to achieve representative results. On the contrary, computer simulations are practical tools that avoid most of the previous disadvantages. However, such tools are based on experimental evidences and demand experimental results to be validated. These aspects motivated the development of strategies based on numerical models and experimental tests. However, numerical sensitivity analyses based on this approach to predict the behaviour of masonry are not easily found or developed.