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Tips for Modeling Masonry in Finite Element Software

Do you use a Finite Element Analysis program for modeling masonry elements? Do you have a thorough understanding of what factors are being used by your program for stiffness modification, and how the mesh sizes are being set in the model?

In May 2016, Sam Rubenzer, PE, SE, with FORSE Consulting, gave a presentation on Masonry Analysis and Design with FEA Software. During his presentation, Sam covered the application of finite element analysis with masonry elements, and also spoke about utilizing FEA software to gain a significantly better understanding of the element behavior than traditional and simple software, and maximizing the capabilities of masonry building elements.

As part of this session, Sam advised about the need to consider many factors when using the many commercial software programs available to structural engineers. Some of these factors included the inelastic behavior of masonry, modifying stiffness factors and the use of partial grouting, as well as modeling a system with a combination of materials.

Shortly before the SE University session, Sam also wrote the following article for STRUCTURE Magazine: Finite Element Modeling, Analysis, and Design for Masonry. This article provides an overview of why Finite Element software can be helpful in modeling masonry, and provides a number of tips for the pre-processing stage, including recommended minimum and maximum shell/plate sizes, and why it may be important to have separate stiffness modification factors for each orthogonal direction of a wall. The article also reviewed some post-processing tips for ensuring your design results meet code requirements, and examples of situations where additional hand calculations may be necessary. Using these tips, engineers can be more confident in their skills using Finite Element Analysis in their next masonry design.