Understanding masonry wall behavior under lateral cyclic loads is important as it helps both evaluating the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings and developing proper retrofitting measures. In this study, the simulation of brick masonry wall behavior was carried out using the Applied Element Method (AEM). By introducing the damage model proposed by Gambarotta and Lagomarshino (1997), AEM shows the capability to follow the cyclic behavior of the brick masonry walls fairly accurately. Moreover, the effect of wall aspect ratio on the governing failure pattern of the walls was successfully captured by the model. Simulation of the PP-band retrofitting was also done with simplified modeling of PP-band meshes. A reasonably good result was also found in comparison to the obtained experimental results. The comparison of the behavior of non-retrofitted and retrofitted cases for a shear wall under cyclic loading as performed an the increase in earthquake safety of masonry shear wall with PP-band retrofitting was numerically verified.
R. Guragain, K. Worakanchana, O, Mayorca, K. Meguro. “Simulation of Brick Masonry Wall Behavior Under Cyclic Loading Using Applied Element Method.” BULLETIN OF EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT STRUCTURE RESEARCH CENTER, INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, NO. 40, (MARCH 2007).