Masonry under dynamic actions-experimental investigations, material modeling and numerical simulations

This chapter focuses on the behavior of masonry structures subjected to dynamic actions like blast and earthquake. It presents static and dynamic material tests which were conducted with different types of bricks. Based on the results of these experimental investigations, a new material model for masonry bricks has been developed. This material model, which is suitable for a detailed micro-model approach, takes into account the dynamic increase of the material strength and the degradation of the material properties due to fracture and material damage. In addition a material model for mortar has been developed. The material models for the bricks and the mortar have been implemented in ANSYS AUTODYN. They can be used to examine the complex material and structural behavior of masonry walls under dynamic loadings (e.g. explosions, earthquakes). In this chapter, the material models developed for bricks and mortar and their verification and validation will be presented.