Study on the mechanical behavior of millennium-ancient bricks based on microscopic characteristics

• Quantitative link between microstructure and mesoscopic finite element modelling is achieved. • The equivalent brick matrix was deduced utilizing the Mori-Tanaka theory and mineral phase composition. • Microscopic tests and numerical simulation yield predictive values with less than 10% relative error from actual results. • Dynamic display of stress concentration and crack extension during compression. The wide performance variation and inability for destructive testing make accurately determining ancient brick mechanical properties crucial for assessing structural safety in ancient masonry. This paper uses multiscale modeling with microscopic finite element analysis to quantitatively assess ancient brick macroscopic stress–strain relationship and compressive strength based on microstructural characteristics. The basic parameters such as porosity, pore size distribution, mineral composition and volume ratio, and microstructure characteristics of ancient bricks were obtained by corresponding methods. The Mori-Tanaka homogenization theory was applied to derive a three-phase equivalent brick matrix using elastic moduli and Poisson’s ratios of quartz, kaolinite, and montmorillonite at the microscale. The Representative Volume Element model with pores was created based on this matrix and pores, integrating Drucker-Prager plastic damage for finite element analysis of ancient brick mechanical behavior. The results indicate that stress–strain curves from the multi-scale micromechanics model resemble macroscopic experimental curves and maintain consistent peak strength. This shows that combining microscopic testing with finite element simulation for analyzing the mechanical properties of ancient bricks is feasible, providing a new non-destructive means of obtaining these properties.