ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes two finite element models for modelling damage in masonry structures. The first model belongs to the class of discontinuous models, in which masonry failure is modelled through the insertion of discrete displacement jumps at the mortar joints. The second model is a novel continuous model, in which masonry damage is smeared out over a finite volume. Mesh-sensitivity of strain localisation in this model is regularised by means of a gradient enhanced damage model which takes into account the anisotropy of masonry. While masonry is known for its simple method of construction, its heterogeneous and quasi-brittle character leads to some interesting challenges for its numerical analysis. Traditionally, numerical masonry models can be categorised into continuous and discontinuous models. The chapter demonstrates that the performance of both models through an academic test case.
