Mesoscopic Modelling of Masonry using Embedded Weak Discontinuities based on Partitions of Unity

Abstract

The modelling of masonry has been a popular topic within computational mechanics for some years now. Two major groups of modelling approaches exist: macroscopic and mesoscopic models [1]. The macroscopic approach homogenises the mortar joints and bricks creating one orthotropic material, whereas the mesoscopic approach models the joints and bricks as seperate entities. In this contribution a two dimensional mesoscopic model will be developed, where mortar joints are modelled by embedded discontinuities using the partition of unity property of the finite element shape functions.