Cohesive crack model for mixed mode fracture of brick

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical procedure for mixed mode fracture of brickworkmasonry. Themodel is an extension of the cohesive model prepared by the authors for concrete, and takes into account the anisotropy of the material. After the crack path is obtained, an interface finite element (using the cohesive fracture model) is incorporated into the trajectory. Such a model is then implemented into a commercial code by means of a user subroutine, consequently being contrasted with experimental results. Fracture properties of masonry are independently measured for two directions on the composed masonry, and then input in the numerical model. This numerical procedure accurately predicts the experimental mixedmode fracture records for different orientations of the brick layers and two homothetic sizes on masonry panels.