Author(s)

S. Casolo & V. Petrini

Abstract

Rigid elements are proposed for a specific discrete model that is developedwith the aim to investigate the global dynamical response of masonry buildings subjected to strong earthquakes that cause mechanical degradation. In particular, the elements are plane quadrilaterals connected to each other by two normal springs and one shear spring at each side. The mechanical characteristics of these connections are defined paying attention to the micro-structure effects that arise when the mortar joints suffer high mechanical degradation. In particular, the micro-structure effect of inter-locking and local rotation of the blocks can be approximated by properly assigning the constitutive laws of the connection springs. A main computational advantage of the present approach consists in allowing a simplified d

Keywords