Modeling of masonry structures: homogenization and application
Prof. Paulo Lourenco
UniMinho
Friday, February, 7th
h. 10:00-13:00
Room 5.7 (viale Risorgimento 2, Bologna)
Abstract: The mechanics of masonry structures had been underdeveloped for a long time in comparison with other fields of knowledge in structural engineering of the built environment, with non-linear analysis being still a popular field in research. A hot field of research in masonry mechanics addresses the possibility of linking approaches that include the units/mortar geometry with homogeneous approaches through homogenization techniques. A catalogue is briefly provided in the talk, with details of some of the work at University of Minho, including multi-physics problems, micro-mechanical based model, expansion of the stress field models and macro-element models. Applications at different levels, from small specimens to full buildings, are presented, for statics, slow dynamics (earthquakes) and fast dynamics (impact and blast). Aspects related to damage detection in these structures and model updating are also discussed.