an orthotropic continuum model for the analysis of masonry structures

TNO-95-NM-R0712 1995 31a) Total deformed mesh b) Incremental deformed meshc) Cracks and crushing d) Principal stresses σ min = -9.65 N/mm 2Fig. 29 - Numerical results for a horizontal displacement d = 30.0 mm (ultimate). 15 × 15 elementsTw o other points of the performance of the model deserve special attention. A very good impressionabout the robustness of the model is obtained from the load-displacement diagram because it ispossible to follow the complete load path until total degradation of strength. Another importantissue is the dependency of the model upon mesh reÞnement. Fig. 30 shows the comparison betweenthe initial mesh and a 2 × Þner mesh. The results are, practically, mesh insensitive and thebehaviour encountered for the Þner mesh, see Fig. 31 and Fig. 32, shows no difference from thebehaviour of the coarser mesh.200.0Horizontal force F [kN]150.0100.050.030 x 30 elements15 x 15 elements0.00.0 10.0 20.0 30.0Horizontal displacement d [mm]Fig. 30 - Mesh dependency of the solution