Abstract

The increasing global emphasis on sustainable development has underscored the importance of understanding the mechanical behaviour of masonry materials in the context of modern construction practices. This thesis presents an X-FEM-based computational homogenization framework tailored for analysing heterogeneous masonry structures. The methodology leverages the advantages of the eXtended Finite Element Method (X-FEM) in introducing phased changes and capture interface behaviour within the representative volume element (RVEs) to represent the material behaviour of masonry structures.

The proposed framework introduces techniques for calculating effective material properties, incorporating periodicity of the masonry wall structure, and addressing interface damage effects. A detailed derivation of the governing equations is presented, along with rigorous validation against benchmark studies and experimental results from the literature. The analysis encompasses multiple case studies, including parametric studies on RVE size, assumed boundary condition effects, and the impact of interface damage on homogenized properties. Results reveal the accuracy and robustness of the X-FEM based approach in capturing the homogenized behaviour masonry walls.

This study not only bridges gaps in existing computational techniques but also provides insights into optimizing modelling strategies for masonry homogenization. The developed framework holds significant potential for applications in structural analysis and the sustainable design of masonry structures, offering a reliable tool for engineers and researchers in the field of computational mechanics.