Non-linear FE modelling of plain and CFRP strengthened masonry panels under out-of-plane loads

In this study, finite element FE analysis is conducted to investigate the non-linear behaviour of masonry panels subjected to out of plane loading and to assess the improvement in structural behaviour of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strengthened masonry panels. Three dimensional FE analyses are conducted using the commercially available software Abaqus. The masonry panels are modelled using a simplified micro modelling approach. In the FE analysis, the masonry units are modelled using brick elements, the interactions between the masonry units themselves, and masonry and CFRP surfaces are simulated using a cohesive surface based approach, the CFRP material is modelled using shell elements. The viability of the modelling technique in simulating the non-linear structural behaviour for both plain and strengthened cases is verified by modelling two experimental studies of masonry panels available in the literature (one plain and one CFRP strengthened). Finally, numerical parametric studies are carried out to investigate the effects of geometry and CFRP reinforcement ratios on structural performance of masonry panels under out of plane loads.