Distinct modeling strategies have been developed to simulate concrete masonry shear walls; however, each is validated with a limited number of specimens tested under identical laboratory conditions and only covers specific detailing scenarios. This research seeks a unified finite element-based modeling approach integrating macro-modeling concepts for grouted masonry (GM) regions and simplified micro-modeling for ungrouted masonry (UGM) regions. The objective is to facilitate accurate simulation of the in-plane behavior of diverse typologies of concrete masonry shear walls: unreinforced masonry (URM), fully grouted reinforced masonry (FGRM), and partially grouted reinforced masonry (PGRM). A smeared crack approach is used to capture the crushing and cracking of grouted masonry (GM) and ungrouted masonry (UGM), and interface elements are incorporated into UGM regions to model the mortar joints, resulting in a combined smeared-discrete model. The validation process comprises two levels. The first-level evaluation focuses on URM and FGRM walls, emphasizing the analysis and comparison of lateral force–displacement curves. Second-level validation is done through simulation of PGRM walls by evaluating lateral force–displacement curves, damage patterns, and reinforcement strains. The implemented modeling approach generally simulates the response of the different experimental masonry shear walls evaluated with good accuracy. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to reveal the influence of some parameters on the numerical results, providing additional perceptions into the reliability of the modeling approach. Relevant insights into the modeling approach were obtained, allowing complex phenomena in the tested walls to be simulated, thus contributing to advances in the simulation of in-plane loaded concrete masonry walls.
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