ABSTRACT
This paper describes how a discrete element formulation has been employed to simulate masonry under seismic loading. Using non-linear numerical analysis the performance of two typical shear walls with and without additional strengthening has been compared. The first is representative of masonry built dry using accurately sized stone blocks, forms the end of a two storey building and is loaded horizontally. The second is similar but typical of more random brick masonry with high strength mortar. In both cases the benefits of strengthening by the introduction of passively stressed reinforcement are predicted when subjected to a hypothetical earthquake. It is concluded that, although more work is required to verify simulations against tests, the discrete element technique is ideally suited to dynamic modelling of masonry and overcomes many difficulties experienced with traditional finite element analysis.
