In-plane shear behaviour of masonry wall under constant normal load -Experimental investigation and discrete element modelling

An experimental and numerical study is proposed on a ½ scale masonry wall in order to validate a discrete element model with frictional and cohesive interface. The methodology consists in (i) identification of the cohesive characteristics of the mortars, (ii) macro-scale numerical discrete element simulation in which the previous characteristics are used as input parameter of the model, and (iii) confrontation between the numerical and experimental responses in order to validate the model. The confrontation between experimental and numerical displacement fields indicates that the DEM method simulate correctly the failures modes observed experimentally. The model is also predictive in term of maximum horizontal strength.