Numerical analysis of triplet shear test on brickwork masonry

Shear failure is often found for masonry structure when subjected to complex loading. This paper presents the numerical analysis of shear strength test on triplet masonry specimens under different normal compressive stresses. Two different models were produced using a commercially available finite element analysis package ANSYS. The first model is a continuum model with the brick unit modeled as linear elastic material, while the mortar joints are modeled using a Drucker-Prager (DP) material or a concrete material. In the second model, the mortar joints as well as the brick/mortar interfaces were represented by a series of contact elements, and the Mohr-Coulomb failure surface was employed by these contact elements. Comparisons with the experimental results show that both models give satisfactory predictions for the maximum failure load, while the finite element model with interfaces has a better performance in terms of the load displacement response.