Modeling the mechanical behavior of coated masonry elements using surface stress theory

The Gurtin–Murdoch Surface Stress Model (SSM) is employed to model thin coatings of Steel Fiber Reinforced Mortar (SFRM) applied to masonry structures. This approach introduces a non-classical mechanical boundary condition, which expresses in-plane surface traction on the masonry facades in terms of surface stress and inertia. Finite Element (FE) analyses are performed within the elastic regime on coated masonry wall samples, both under static and dynamic loading conditions, to validate the accuracy of the theoretical model. Finally, a more realistic masonry structural system is analyzed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed reinforcement and highlight the computational efficiency of the proposed surface model. • Surface stress model for applying SFRM coatings on masonry walls. • FE analyses validate the model and confirm its accuracy in statics and dynamics. • The approach demonstrates the effectiveness of SFRM reinforcement on masonry systems. • The model offers significant advantages for structural simulations.