Determination of capacity reduction due to openings in masonry walls

Masonry structures have been used throughout human history, and they have an important place in the history of construction. The masonry structures are safe, sustainable, environment friendly, and they can be produced with minimum energy. These structures were built with various construction methods and materials in different communities or regions. Therefore, the materials used in masonry structures are very different, and masonry structures have many different mechanical properties due to various materials. In this case, the classification of masonry structures in modeling and analyzing is challenging. Developing technological devices and innovative ideas in the field of construction led to a more detailed investigation of the masonry walls. As a result, several models for assessing the performance of masonry buildings are developed. In this study, masonry walls with the finite element method were analyzed to understand on the in-plane behavior of unreinforced masonry walls with different openings. The size and position of openings in unreinforced masonry walls can have an impact on failure mechanisms and capacities of walls. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the impact of openings in the capacities of masonry walls. First of all, the geometry of numerical models was created utilizing data from existing masonry structures. In ANSYS, the mechanical properties of the materials in unreinforced masonry walls are defined, and the element used for modeling is determined. Then, the modeling techniques for masonry walls are selected. The macro modeling method is used in all of the numerical models. After determining the loading and boundary conditions, analyzes are performed. All numerical models are evaluated based on the boundary conditions of the walls in seismic design category 1 in TEC 2018. The length of openings and piers is evaluated based on the relationship between the location and percentage of openings and the wall capacity. The lengths or percentages were proposed to increase the safety of masonry structures under the effect of seismic loads.