Finite Element Analyses of Mortarless Wall Panel

The complexity of mortarless masonry wall behaviour was primarily governed by its dry joints characteristic. Dry joint features can be found in mortarless wall construction where no adhesive or mortar layer present. The behaviour of mortarless wall was addressed previously by experimental and analytical work. However there are lacks of research of analytical work particularly on the mortarless masonry wall considering dry joint features due to its complexity characteristic. Therefore this paper present finite element analyses on series of mortarless wall model. The analyses results then verified by comparing the results and response with those measured through experimental to monitor the accuracy and reliability of program. A 2D finite element program was developed to analyse dry joint masonry wall. The developed program was able to analyse linear and nonlinear problem. Four series of finite element wall model were developed that consists of solid hollow wall model, wall with stiffeners model, and wall with window opening models that simulate under various eccentricity of loading. The models were simulated in nonlinear environment and under compressive vertical load. The results show that the model was able to predict the correct response of mortarless masonry panels with good agreement and its demonstrated adequacy to provide reasonable results. (Report and Opinion. 2009;1(2):1-16). (ISSN: 1553-9873).