Finite element analysis of single-storey unreinforced alternative masonry walls
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Date
Authors
De Villiers, Wibke I.
Van Zijl, G.P.A.G. (Gideon)
Boshoff, W.P. (Billy)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage
Abstract
The most commonly cited obstacles to the uptake of alternative masonry units on a meaningful scale, despite significant research investment, are a lack of standards and understanding of their structural behaviour. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge on finite element analysis of alternative masonry structures, towards improved understanding of their structural behaviour. Two critical masonry wall configurations, in the context of South African low-income, government-subsidised housing, are analysed using the simplified micro-modelling approach, under ultimate limit state wind and seismic actions. Three alternative masonry materials are characterised and employed in the numerical analyses, geopolymer, compressed-stabilised earth and adobe blocks, as well as conventional concrete blocks as benchmark. Despite the wide spectrum in masonry materials analysed, the chosen modelling approach captured the major failure mechanisms well. The four materials performed as expected relative to one another, but most wall/material configurations failed to resist the required design load, including the conventional concrete masonry material.
Description
Keywords
Adobe, Alternative masonry, Compressed-stabilised earth, Finite element analysis, Geopolymer, Low-income housing, Simplified micro-modelling
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
De Villiers, W.I., Van Zijl, G.P., Boshoff, W.P. Finite element analysis of single-storey unreinforced alternative masonry walls. Advances in Structural Engineering. 2021; 24 (9): 2011-2026. doi:10.1177/1369433221992483.