Pushover analysis of confined masonry walls using a 3D macro-modelling approach

This paper shows a novelty way to simulate the nonlinear behaviour of confined masonry walls subjected to in-plane lateral loading by using a 3D macro-modelling approach. For this purpose, the finite elements method implemented in ABAQUS software was used. All the 3D solid finite elements were modelled as a single part, which allowed avoiding modelling the contact interfaces between concrete and masonry elements. The nonlinear behaviour of the concrete and masonry were governed by two main types of failures: crushing and cracking, which were properly represented by the Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model. Steel rebars were modelled as elastic–plastic with hardening and were assumed to have a perfect adhesion with the surrounding concrete by means of the embedded constraint. Prior to the modelling process, experiments were carried out whose results were used as patterns to validate the proposed model. A calibration process of the tensile properties of masonry was conducted for properly fitting the experimental patterns. As a result, there were good agreements between the numerical and experimental outcomes in terms of capacity curves and cracking patterns.