In this study, a system of discontinuous rigid blocks is employed to simulate the possible damage mechanisms in unreinforced masonry (URM) façades and load-bearing frame systems subjected settlement using discrete element method (DEM). First, modeling strategy validated utilizing available experimental results presented literature. Once there good agreement between computational models findings...

Given the sophisticated nature of the blast phenomenon in relation to structures, it is of significance to accurately investigate the structure behavior under blast loads. Due to its rapid and transient nature, blast loading is one of the most important dynamic loadings on the structures. Since masonry materials are widely used as the partition and bearing walls in the existing and newly-built ...

Debris flow is a very destructive natural disaster. This paper presents a novel masonry structure with strong resistance to debris flow—by using walls that are set with braces and filled with straw bricks. This structure was designed according to the concepts of sustainability. In order to study the dynamic response of this novel masonry structure under debris flow, finite element models of dif...

• Assessing the seismic response of wall tie connections in cavity walls. Proposing a mechanical model for connections. Considering six possible failure modes ties. Performing parametric analyses to asses influence several key parameters. The assessment unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings with walls is relevant issue many countries, such as Central and Northern Europe, Australia, New Zealand, ...

Masonry buildings are generally vulnerable to seismic action, as evidenced extensively in past earthquakes. In order improve their performance, several modifications have been introduced, such reinforcing or confining the masonry. This paper presents a analysis and fragility assessment procedure for non-engineered masonry building typologies, employing applied element method (AEM). Compared wit...

The use of shotcrete or sprayed mortar is a common construction alternative to retrofit unreinforced brick masonry (URM), and extensive research has already been carried out in this area. However, most studies have conducted on lateral strength, for example, eccentric compression seismic forces. On the other hand, there are few about uniaxial compression, results confirm strong relationship bet...