Application And Analysis Of Asymptotic Homogenization Method In Masonry

Asymptotic homogenization method(AHM) is a approach towards multi-scalecomposites which contains periodic micro-structure. As a method based on strict math,link with multi-scale mechanical characteristics by strict math theory, AHM can get areasonable result through small calculations which makes AHM has a wideapplication in periodic composites(e.g. masonry). Macro-mechanical characteristicsof such materials are described by the base cell (Representative Volume ElementRVE).Masonry is composed by brick and mortar according to some periodic rules.Traditionally, the engineering design method of masonry structure was probabiliticlimit state design method which according to experimental data and engineeringexperience. Traditional method lack theory system to support it, therefor, only theunitary mechanical characteristics of masonry can be educed. The study of the basictheory of micro-scale stress-strain state and failure mechanism of masonry is lagged.Therefor, the study of material performance and the design method was trapped.However, the Finite Element Analysis of masonry is costly, which can not be appliedin engineering. On the basis of perturbation method and multi-scale method, AHMneeds small calculations and lead reasonable results. T herefore, introducing AHM tostudy masonry is a trend presently.On the effort of our group, APDL language of ANSYS was applied to realizeasymptotic homogenization method. Then, analyze the mechanical performance ofbase cell and the three-dimensional equivalent modulus of masonry. Therefor, themacro-mechanical characteristics of masonry could be educed. AHM was validatedsuitable for analyzing the three-dimensional equivalent modulus of masonry bycomparison with A.Zucchini’s micro-mechanical model. This method was applied tostudy the factors influencing three-dimensional equivalent modulus of masonry, andthe degree of the factors, include different Young’s modulus and patterns, influencingthe three-dimensional equivalent modulus of masonry is educed in the paper. Finally,on the basis of above results, the proposed model was applied to simulate theperformance of masonry shear wall under in-plane shear-compression. It implied thatthe method is availability by comparison with the homogenisation model coupled withdamage and plastic and composite interface model and experimental results.