Discrete element modelling of a two storey unreinforced masonry scaled model

Abstract

Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings are known to perform poorly when subjected to earthquake induced ground shaking. In order to enhance understanding of URM building global behaviour, a two-storey URM scaled model building was constructed and tested on a uniaxial shake-table. The building model was designed to replicate the global behaviour of a prototypical URM building commonly encountered in New Zealand. During the shake-table testing, in-plane shear and two-way out-of-plane bending mechanisms were observed similar to those documented in post-earthquake observations. The scaled building used in the experimental shake-table test was numerically modelled using discrete element approach and subjected to the same ground motion as that used in the experimental campaign. The arrangement of accelerometers used during the test was maintained to model the data acquisition in the numerical simulation. Significant correlation was found between the damage exhibited by the scaled model building test and the numerical simulation. The numerical model helped to understand the details of the collapse mechanism formation and was calibrated in order to be capable of reproducing the dynamic behaviour of more complex buildings and testing the effectiveness of retrofit solutions.