A cohesive interface model for the structural mechanics of block masonry (Q1373221)

The paper is devoted to the formulation of simple cohesive interface model suitable to simulate the behaviour of mortar joints in masonry structures. The interface laws are expressed in terms of contact stresses and displacement discontinuities which are assumed as conjugate generalised joint strains. The adopted yield surface is expressed by the classical bilinear Coulomb condition with a tension cut-off and with a non-associated flow law. Shear and tension normal stresses are regarded as responsible for the joint fracture inducing anelastic normal and tangential strains which are coupled and modify the initial joint mechanical properties. The anelastic strains are obtained as implicit functions of the total strain increments for the different loading conditions. A particular attention is addressed to cohesive joint-frictional joint transition.