Numerical simulation method for masonry partition walls affected by the deflections of concrete structures

Non structural masonry walls can be damaged when submitted to in plane loads, imposed by the vertical deflections of their support structures (e.g. concrete slabs).Given the high complexity of this problem associated to the masonry anisotropy and behaviour of interface joints wall/structure, including the difficulty of reproducing real scale prototypes for laboratory testing, the use of more generalised and time efficient models are important aspects to be considered. Therefore, a numerical simulation method and its application is presented to simulate this type of problem. This method is based on a FEM macro-model, witch includes a constitutive damage model for concrete calibrated for masonry walls and a shear-cohesion model to simulate the interface joints. This method was simulated in a case study of a masonry partition wall loaded by the vertical deflections of adjacent concrete slabs. Results obtained highlighted a high risk of damage in the masonry partitions when these are affected by the structural deflections limits referred in literature, specially if no detachment wall/structure joints and reinforcement techniques are used.