Bassam A. Izzuddin

Bio: Bassam A. Izzuddin is an academic researcher from Imperial College London. The author has contributed to research in topics: Finite element method & Progressive collapse. The author has an hindex of 33, co-authored 181 publications receiving 3794 citations. Previous affiliations of Bassam A. Izzuddin include Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki & Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

A non-linear interface element for 3D mesoscale analysis of brick-masonry structures

Abstract: This paper presents a novel interface element for the geometric and material nonlinear analysis of unreinforced brick-masonry structures. In the proposed modelling approach, the blocks are modelled using 3D continuum solid elements, while the mortar and brick-mortar interfaces are modelled by means of the 2D nonlinear interface element. This enables the representation of any 3D arrangement for brick-masonry, accounting for the in-plane stacking mode and the through-thickness geometry, and importantly it allows the investigation of both the in-plane and the out-of-plane response of unreinforced masonry panels. A co-rotational approach is employed for the interface element, which shifts the treatment of geometric nonlinearity to the level of discrete entities, and enables the consideration of material nonlinearity within a simplified local framework employing first-order kinematics. In this respect, the internal interface forces are modelled by means of elasto-plastic material laws based on work-softening plasticity and employing multi-surface plasticity concepts. Following the presentation of the interface element formulation details, several experimentalnumerical comparisons are provided for the in-plane and out-of-plane static behaviour of brick-masonry panels. The favourable results achieved demonstrate the accuracy and the significant potential of using the developed interface element for the nonlinear analysis of brick-masonry structures under extreme loading conditions.

Design Prototypes: A Knowledge Representation Schema for Design

Abstract: A prevalent and pervasive view of designing is that it can be modeled using variables and decisions made about what values should be taken by these variables. The activity of designing is carried out with the expectation that the designed artifact will operate in the natural world and the social world. These worlds impose constraints on the variables and their values; so, design could be described as a goal-oriented, constrained, decision- making activity. However, design distinguish- es itself from other similarly described activities not only by its domain but also by additional necessary features. Designing involves exploration, exploring what variables might be appropriate. The process of explo- ration involves both goal variables and deci- sion variables. In addition, designing involves learning: Part of the exploration activity is learning about emerging features as a design proceeds. Finally, design activity occurs within two contexts: the context within which the designer operates and the context produced by the developing design itself. The designer’s perception of what the context is affects the implication of the context on the design. The context shifts as the designer’s perceptions change. Design activity can be now characterized as a goal-oriented, con- strained, decision-making, exploration, and learning activity that operates within a con- text that depends on the designer’s percep- tion of the context.