Finite Element Modelling of Confined Masonry Wall under In-plane Cyclic Load

Abstract

Confined masonry (CM) is an effective building construction technology for low-tech construction in seismic-prone regions. This paper focuses on developing a numerical model to study the in-plane seismic behaviour of CM wall. A half-scaled CM wall specimen is designed based on Mexican practice and tested under a combination of vertical load and in-plane cyclic load up to failure. Based on that a three dimensional (3D) finite element macro-modelling technique is developed using the commercial software package ABAQUS, where the masonry panel, RC tie-frame, and reinforcements are discretely modelled. The strength and stiffness degradation of masonry and concrete is defined using Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP), which is a damaged plasticity-based continuum constitutive model. All the input data in the numerical model are based on experimental test results and data obtained from past literature or inverse fitting, with justification. From the analysis, it is observed that the numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental. Therefore, the proposed model can be successfully practiced to model confined masonry walls.