Numerical modeling of compression tests on masonry cores

To assess the safety of existing masonry buildings, one fundamental step is the determination of the mechanical properties of the materials. To evaluate the masonry compressive strength, compression tests on masonry cores can be performed. This is not a standard testing technique: dimensions and bond pattern of the samples may vary together with the mortar cap properties. The objective of the present paper was the study of the behavior of masonry cores subject to uniaxial compression test by performing nonlinear numerical analyses. For this purpose, a 3D numerical model with a brick-to-brick micro-modeling approach was adopted. The results of the nonlinear analyses were compared with the results of a laboratory experimental campaign in which several compression tests on masonry cores were performed, obtaining a good agreement. The numerical results also allowed to better interpret the tests and to investigate the role of confinement, as will be discussed in the paper