Numerical Analysis of Compressed Masonry Columns

This paper presents a three-demensional micro-model for an unreinforced masonry (URM) column and masonry columns reinforced by FRP wrapping (RM). The column with dimensions of 0.3 x 0.3 x 1 m was constituted by twelve rows of solid burnt bricks bonded by mortar joints. The RM column was wrapped in four external FRP sheets. A heterogeneous model, in which masonry units, mortar joints and reinforcement are materially and geometrically accurately described, was chosen. Both bricks and mortar are modelled with independent behavior in compression and tension. The FRP reinforcement is assumed to behave linear-elastically. The reinforcement was modelled under the assumption of perfect adhesion between the elastic FRP strips and the damageable masonry support. Numerical results are compared with experimental ones in order to confirm conclusions about the behavior of URM and RM columns under concentric compressive load determined based on the experimental part of the research program. The comparison between experimental and numerical findings shows good agreement and the adopted numerical model is suitable to predict the ultimate load and allows a better understanding of the behavior of brick masonry columns under concentric compression before and after reaching the ultimate load. For all simulations, the commercial software package ABAQUS was used.