Numerical Simulation of the Non-linear Response of Historic Masonry

In order to assess and reduce the increased vulnerability to earthquakes of existing masonry structures, reliable numerical modelling techniques are needed. These seismic analyses represent a complex task due to the variability of the material properties, the difficulty to determine them through non-destructive tests and the empirical knowledge based on which they were built. Considering the limited available data, numerical simulations validated through laboratory tests could represent an effective method to predict the behaviour of masonry structures. This paper presents the proposed numerical model for a historic unreinforced masonry wall, validated through an experimental campaign conducted at the Technical University of Civil Engineering in Bucharest, Romania. The model created in LS-DYNA, aims to simulate the non-linear behaviour of an unreinforced masonry wall specimen, subjected to unidirectional cyclic loading and constant vertical load, which was built based on traditional materials and constructions techniques.