Dynamic modelling of crack damage at the interface of non-structural masonry walls and the structure due to earthquake motion

In the last few years, the north of the Netherland was hit by several earthquakes of light intensity due to the extraction of gas. In this regard some problems were encountered on old masonry structures built with local techniques (Terraced house). This thesis studies the problem of the crack opening of the interface between non-structural masonry wall and structural parts under a light earthquake with a 2D dynamic model. To study this problem a micro model for the interface and a macro model for the elements it is created. Where for the interface a particular constitutive law is studied: elastic-plastic in a tangential direction, while in the normal direction is considered a linear-softening behaviour in traction and a linear elastic behaviour in compression. The focusing on the study of the interface; the elements are studied with a linear elastic isotropic behaviour. The models are calibrated with the test of a full structure on a shaking table of terrace house of the University of Pavia. It is decomposed the problem studying a 3D system with a 2D frame: firstly considering the in-plane edge within a 2D system and calibrating the systems using the first mode, and secondly, removing the in-plane walls. Finally, calibrating the frame depending on the crack that appears with the increasing of the load with an iteration of the transient analysis. After this tuning of the model a transient analysis, with a different cases of loading and also with different time histories, is employed. The results showed that the non-structural wall doesn't play a particular effect in the case of out-of-plane working direction, while in case of the in-plane working direction on the floor where it is inserted the non-structural wall; there is an effect on the behaviour. Finally, the opening of the interface is more significant in the case of the in-plane working wall, because the main effect of the failure is rocking. Instead, there isn't significant sliding compared to the detachment.