A numerical unit cell model for predicting the failure stress state of vertically perforated clay block masonry under arbitrary in-plane loads

Abstract

As vertically perforated clay block masonry advances into more demanding building categories, knowledge of the effective masonry strength under different loading states becomes crucial. However, experimentally identifying macroscopic failure surfaces for such masonry requires a massive effort. In this study, we propose a FEM-based simulation concept to predict failure stress states of masonry under arbitrary in-plane loading. The proposed concept is validated using seven experiments from the literature. Subsequently, subjecting the validated model to various load cases allows for deriving a failure surface comparable to the Rankine–Hill surface. Thus, by applying the presented concept, we can effectively generate macroscopic failure surfaces for any perforated clay block design.