Finite-element analysis of an alternative masonry wall system

This paper presents the analysis and modelling of interlocking mortarless concrete block walls subjected to concentric and eccentric compressive loading using a finite-element method. Detailed constitutive relationships concerning the mortarless dry joints and masonry materials are proposed for the finite-element model. An incremental-iterative finite-element (FE) program code is written to analyse the masonry walls up to failure. The applicability of the proposed FE model is investigated by demonstrating the non-linear structural response and failure mechanism of stiffened and unstiffened interlocking mortarless walls. Good agreement between the developed FE code and the experimental test results is achieved.