Numerical and experimental analysis of the shear capacity of interconnected concrete block walls

Abstract Predicting the behavior of interconnected masonry walls is a challenging issue, given the influence of a wide range of factors, such as the mechanical properties of the materials (blocks and mortar) and the way the walls are connected to each other. In this paper, experimental results in H-shaped walls subjected to shear at the vertical interface are introduced with a numerical representation. Concrete blocks and two types of connections (running bond and U-steel anchors) were considered in the tests. Computational modelling was carried out using the Diana® FEM software to complete the study and understand the structural behavior of the masonry panels. The influence of the bonding pattern on the experimental and numerical response was studied and good agreement between the results was found. Moreover, the numerical analysis showed that the computer models of the interconnected walls adequately represented the behavior of the physical models regarding load capacity and cracking patterns.摘要 受材料（砌块与砂浆）的力学性能、墙体间连接方式等多类因素影响，预测相互连接的砌体墙体的受力行为是一项极具挑战性的课题。本文结合数值表征方法，介绍了竖向界面受剪的H形砌体墙体的试验结果。试验中选用了混凝土砌块以及两种连接形式：顺砌式连接与U型钢锚栓连接。本研究借助Diana®有限元（FEM）软件开展数值建模，以完成该项研究并明晰砌体墙板的结构受力特性。研究分析了砌筑模式对试验与数值响应的影响，结果显示二者吻合度良好。此外，数值分析表明，所构建的相互连接墙体计算机模型，在荷载承载能力与开裂模式两方面均能准确复现物理模型的受力表现。