On modelling brick/mortar interface via a St. Venant-Kirchhoff orthotropic soft interface. Part I: theory

Abstract

In this paper, a nonlinear-imperfect interface model is proposed in order to model brick/mortar-interface behavior in small masonry assemblies. The proposed model, formulated according a micromechanical strategy, derives from a consolidated approach coupling arguments of asymptotic analysis and homogenisation method. The adopted asymptotic technique is extended to the finite strain theory. The homogenisation strategy, under the non-interacting approximation, is extended to microcracked-orthotropic-hyperelastic materials. Simple numerical simulations, developed within the framework of finite element method, highlight the model soundness and its applicability in finite-strain problems.