Modeling of non-grouted interlocking brick masonry using rigid-body-spring model

Interlocking brick can greatly improve construction efficiency and quality. However, the complex geometry of individual bricks and of the discrete built-up joints make the behavior of non-grouted interlocking brick masonry highly nonlinear and discontinuous. Conventional detailed numerical modeling method demands substantial computational resource. This study proposes a simplified analysis method, in which a detailed rigid body spring model (RBSM) is specially tailored for the interlocking masonry system consisting of a large number of contact-friction interfaces. Validation showed the proposed RBSM can provide accurate prediction of interlocking brick wall behaviors under compression and shear loading when comparing with laboratory testing data, while the computational time is significantly reduced and the persistent non-convergence problem is overcome. Further validation was performed on the behavior of interlocking brick wall under in-plane cyclic loading, where the damage mode, hysteresis response and energy dissipation characteristics were compared with conventional FEM analysis. It was therefore proved that the proposed RBSM could yield reliable and efficient analysis for the behavior of interlocking brick structures. • Homogenized interlocking brick structure modeling considering cyclic loading. • Normal and shear constitutive models for RBSM obtained from homogenized method. • RBSM model saves over 90 % computational time compared to detailed model.