Statics of Masonry Solids and Structures

Prof. Christian Carloni

Part II
(The Masonry Continuum)
 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
We consider masonry as an assembly of particles that are
rigid. The particles are bricks. If the particles (bricks) are
small compared to the dimensions of the masonry structure
we can consider the structure as a continuum.
We extend the initial discussion of Part I and Part II to a
continuum medium.

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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
If we consider a no-tension model, at point Pp we have:

n is the
p P n 0 outward normal
to p at P

So we cant apply tension forces on p. Similarly for Pr :

r P n 0 r is the
reaction at P
These are compatibility conditions for p and r. Self-equilibrated
force systems cannot be applied to masonry continuum 3
 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
Lets consider the stress in the body bulk

n t ( n ) (P ) is the
traction vector at P
with respect to
the plane defined
by the outward
normal n
If we want only compressions:

t(n) P n P 0 4
 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM

The relation t P n P 0 defines the admissible

( n)

stress tensor.
One important consequence of this relation is the fact
that loads do not diffuse (or scatter) within a masonry
continuum.
a
the tractions on the
n ( a a ) surface defined by a a
( n aa )
are termed t ( P ) and
they are drawn to
respect t ( n ) P n P 0
a 5
 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
Equilibrium in the horizontal direction yields:

aa
t ( naa )
P n dS 0
aa

Because all tractions must be such that t ( n)

P n P 0
and at the same time the equilibrium condition holds, we
must have:
In fact, if all the tractions have a
horizontal component with the
t ( naa )

P n
aa
0 same sense equilibrium could
not be satisfied unless those
components are zero
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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
On the other hand, if some tractions have opposite sense
that means that they would be tensions.

The scenario on the left would

allow to respect equilibrium but
would imply that the state is not
admissible. The scenario on the
right entails that the equilibrium is
satisfied but requires that one
principal stress is positive, which
contradicts the definition of
admissible stress state

7
 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
Let u(P), P, be the displacement field of a masonry body.
u(P) corresponds to the scenario in which rigid motion of
some portions occurs and detachments (cracks)
will create new surfaces (mechanism).
If we do not want penetration between particles u(P) should
not generate a reduction of the distance between points that
can be connected by a straight line drawn within the body.
Thus, if P1 and P2 are those two points and Q1 and Q2 are
the corresponding points after u(P):

d Q1, Q2 d P1, P2
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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
Sliding cannot occurs if d Q1, Q2 d P1, P2

If cracks occurs u(P) will undergo some discontinuities!

A crack can open but sliding cant occur.

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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
Lets consider a crack, and the two surfaces f - and f + of the
crack. We will refer to the outward normal of f - .

Crack opens in
the direction
n defined by n

If sliding cant occur and the crack is not curved, the relative
displacement must be perpendicular to the crack and:

(n)u(P) (n)u(P) n First kinematic compatibility

condition 10
 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
We will not define strain components because the rigid
mechanism represented by u(P) only implies that there are
discontinuities in the displacement field at the crack
surfaces.
If r is the portion of the boundary where restraints are
applied and n is the outward normal vector at P r

Second kinematic
u(P) n 0 compatibility
condition
Evidently, the presence of discontinuities could be an issue
when solving complex problem.
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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
Given a displacement field u(P), we will define the set of all
crack surfaces associated with u(P), each with its two edges:

u
This will allow us to define the region where there are no
cracks:

u
u
The boundary of the cracked body is:

u u
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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
We will term M the set of all mechanisms u(P) that satisfy:

u(P) n 0 when P r

and:
(n)u(P) 0 when P u)
( n ) ( n )
u(P) u(P) n

Finally, the strain tensor is:

(P) 0 when P u)

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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
Deformation cannot occur within the masonry bulk:

when P u)
(P) P 0

Note that so far we have not used symbols and

In the actual mechanism state on u) we have no
tractions but openings.

n
t ( n )
actual P n 0


t ( n )
actual P 0

n
t ( n )
actual P n 0


t ( n )
actual P 0

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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM

If we do NOT consider the actual mechanism state on u)

(we are thinking about virtual work):

t ( n )
P u
n
P 0 when u M, P f -

t(n) P u P 0
n
when u M, P f +

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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM

Let us see an example when a virtual mechanism state

occurs (see previous slide).

Let us consider a wall.

The thickness of the wall
is unitary and the specific
weight is

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 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM

Let us consider a
virtual mechanism,
i.e. a kinematically
admissible
displacement field
that is not
corresponding to the
actual collapse of the
structure. *
The portion ABCD of
the wall detaches
and a crack forms
along line AB. 1
* The concept of mechanism and collapse will be fully explained later 17
 THE MASONRY CONTINUUM
Let us consider a
generic point P on the
crack surface. We will
also consider the FBD of
the upper portion ABCD
of the wall (in the original
position). The weight of
the portion of the wall
(HB) and the traction
along the crack act upon
ABCD.*
It can be observed that:
t(n) P u n P 0
* The traction vector is actually made of one component, i.e. 18