A F.E. UPPER BOUND LIMIT ANALYSIS MODEL FOR MASONRY CURVED AND 3D STRUCTURES, WITH AND WITHOUT FRPREINFORCEMENT

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to propose a new efficient numerical tool, based on the kinematic theorem of limit analysis, for the study of masonry shell and 3D structures with or without FRP reinforcement. The approach consists of two steps. In step I unreinforced masonry strength domains are obtained with a FE limit analysis procedure applied to a representative element of volume constituted by a central brick interacting with its six neighbours by means of rigid plastic interfaces (mortar joint). In step II, the unreinforced strength domains are implemented in a novel upper bound FE limit analysis code for the analysis at collapse of entire masonry curved and 3D structures