Prediction of dynamic amplification factor on clay brick masonry assemblage

Abstract

The dynamic amplification factor plays a vital role in the design of masonry structures under action of dynamic forces causing high strain rate loading. Therefore, the study is aimed to predict the dynamic amplification factor through numerical investigations. The finite element simulations have been performed using micro modelling approach on ABAQUS/Explicit commercial finite element software. The Drucker- Prager model and surface cohesive model were used to predict the dynamic amplification factor and toughness of the clay brick masonry assemblage. The response in terms of stress and strain on compression as well as flexural assemblage were predicted and verified with the experimental results available in literature. Further, the influence of strain rate on compression brick masonry assemblage was studied under varying strain rate in terms of stress, strain and deformations. It was observed that the predicted results were found in good agreement with the experimental results for both compression and flexural assemblage. Also, it was observed that for 1 s−1 strain rate, the increment in toughness was found to be insignificant, i.e. 17%, however the toughness was found to increase by 76% and 150% for 100 and 200 s−1 strain rate respectively, compare to the 4.1 × 10−5 s−1 strain rate. It was also suggested that the finite element model proves very useful in light of identifying the dynamic amplification factor as it is an essential parameter required for designing the structure under high rate of loading.