Influence of differential settlements on masonry structures

TLDR: In this paper, the authors presented a contribution to the development of a numerical method to assess and classify the consequences of differential settlements on masonry structures by comparing different criteria of damage assessment.

Abstract: The paper presents a contribution to the development of a numerical method to assess and classify the consequences of differential settlements on masonry structures. The main objective is to compare different criteria of damage assessment. The work consists to study a masonry wall, using numerical modelling, subjected to a differential settlement with a distinct element method (UDEC). Due to the distinct element method, the displacement requires to impose an optimal numerical velocity during a given period. The influence of vertical displacement on the wall has been studied by analyzing several criteria of damage assessment based on joints behavior in shear or tension. Based on the comparison with threshold values of the admissible differential settlement, the cumulative length of separate joints has been considered to satisfy an adequate criterion. The classification of damage level could be based on this criterion.