You need to define contact between two materials. I don't know what kind of analysis you're planning to carry out, but in any case it is extremely tricky to ensure that the contact surfaces reflect the actual mechanical behavior - in order to rely on the output, you not only need a thorough mechanical characterization for both materials, but also have to accurately define the linear and nonlinear (i.e. pre&post-cracking) characteristics for various damage mechanisms (joint slip, tension cracks etc.), which is essentially impossible without any model validation work. So, if you haven't done already, you might want to consider macro-modelling or simplified micro-modelling strategies before proceeding with this.

http://www.academia.edu/5267616/Simulation_of_Masonry_in_ANSYS_and_LS-DYNA_The_Features_and_Challenges

Thanks for your answers. Can you explaın that, what is the difference  between modelling a masonry structure and a reinforced concrete structure when using macro modelling? Each of them have same procedure?

Hi Sedat,

They are indeed the same. Macromodelling does not take the structural morphology into account, therefore it doesn't reflect the discrete nature of masonry. The only difference is that you need to derive effective material properties to use in your model (refer to the relevant codes for mechanical properties such as Young's modulus), and be extremely cautious with the results. Don't forget that this is an overly idealized modelling strategy. You might want to support your findings with different models, hand calculations, and most importantly your engineering judgement before drawing any conclusions based on the output. Hope this helps. 

yase

Thans for your help Yasemin,

Another issue is that I want to model nonlineer behavior of a masonry structure. Is there any material model you suggest me for this masonry structure?

To model nonlinear behavior refer to "Micro-modeling of Masonry Infilled RC Moment Resisting Frames to Investigate Arrangement of Compressive Diagonal Struts

M.A. Rahemia, A.A. Tasnimib*, A. Sarvghad-Moghadam"

Sedat, I'd suggest you give Drucker-Prager a try. There is loads of support docs and papers available online. Refer to those for various coefficients. Which Ansys module are you using? Is it a static or dynamic analysis?

Hi again,

Thank you very much for all your helps. I want to write my experiences here after making hundreds of analysis in ANSYS. 

*Macro modelling is suitable and easy way for modeling huge masonry walls. But, determination of material parameters is required substantial attention.

*Micro modelling is required high computer capacity and very tiring process.

*Simplified micro modelling is suitable to investigate the discrete cracks between mortar and bricks. This technique is usable for reflecting the masonry behavior. 

*Determination of contact is significant procedure for simplified micro modelling. There are many contact types and contact behaviour. Thus different analysis can be done with using cantact and target elements.

*Drucker-Prager material model is suitable for masonry and untroubled for nonlinear analysis as mentioned above by Yasemin.

*Concrete material can be used  only for the analysis  up to the  failure load. Past peak behavior can not be shown healthfully. 

*Orthotropic analysis can be made for elastic analysis of masonry walls but isotropic material is pretty adequate.

see you again

Best regards

Hi Dear!

I need to model brick masonry in ansys.How to join the brick with mortar? Please any help.

Hi Sami,

Firstly, you have to create the geometry of the brick and mortar. Then, use the GLUE or OVERLAP command. But this approach will be produce a heteregenous model. If you want to analyze the nonlinear behaviour of masonry structures, you should use contact elements between bricks and mortar.

Sedat

Hello, I want to model in Ansys Workbench contact between bricks and mortar. From experiments I know maximum normal stress and maximum shear stress. Respectively I know forces in which the contact fails. The failure is brittle due to lost of adhesion. I tried to use "Bonded contact" and "Contact Debonding" with "Cohesive zone material" properties (see pic. bellow). For "Maximum Normal Contact Stress" I will use maximum normal stress calcutated from maximum force measured during experiments. For "Maximum Equivalent Tangential Contact Stress" I will use maximum shear stress calcutated from maximum force measured during experiments. "Contact Gap" and "Tangential Slip" I choose as 0,001 mm because I want contact nondeformable. Can anyone tell me, if my idea is correct? When I tried to test it, contact in Mode II (with applied shear force) did not debonded at supposed applied force. Thank you in advance for any help.

Hi everyone;

I am going to model a masonry wall and prism but without using a mortar between them (Mortarless wall). Could any one advice on how to connect between them and how to create zero interface area

thanks in advance

Hi,

Use contact elements between them.

Sedat

Thanks a lot

Hai everyone. I want to model brick wall in ANSYS Workbench but i don't know how because i'm new to this software. Could anyone advice on how to model the brick wall? Thank you in advance.

Great job Sedat!

We would be very grateful if you could make a short tutorial in ANSYS and share it with us. It will have great success as nobody posted something like this on YouTube!

Thank you in advance!

Thank you very much for your nice contributions. I hope that, If I have opportunity, I will realize that.

Hi everyone,

i try to implement a micro modell, which means i modeled the brick and mortar. I know the initial shear strength of the mortar, the compression strength of brick and mortar and the force which causes the failure. But Iam not able to model so i can obtain the force after my masonry failed. I tried the contact debonding, i defined drucker-prager but it doesn't work. Do you have any ideas how i gonna solve my problem

Hi,

Using bonded contact may be helpful.

Sedat

Hey,

thank you for the answer. I tried, i even tried friction but it doesnt work.

Hi,

In my opinion, loading procedure is extremely important to see a completed solution for a nonlinear analysis especially highly nonlinear problems such as modeling a masonry experiments from starting of loading to crushing of specimen.

Using substeps is helpful to see all the results before failure of the specimens. Using this, the analyze can be monitored step by step. Thus, finding solution to the convergence errors may be easier.

Best regards

I am trying to model a masonry arch bridge and i am struggling on how to model the masonry bricks in the arch , i have never modeled on ANSYS before though,

what is the approach here ?

Hi,

Firstly, choose the modeling way.(macro, micro, simplified micro, continuous micro...). Next parts are changing according to your modeling way and anlyze type(linear or nonlinear).

Best regards

Sedat Kömürcü Thanks for your reply. I made my model

Sedat Kömürcü , thanks for your replay , i have modeled an arch bridge first using space claim , but i have few questions here , how do i draw or model the soil on spaceClaim or in Design modeler , second , after i go to Model (Mechanical ) , how do i specify the connection between Bricks , if i want a micro modeling ?

and thanks for your help .

Hello Ahmad,

This model looks very challenging in terms of brick interfaces. You have to use contact and target elements between the bricks. If you consider mortar between the bricks this will be a more complex model. In addition, solving time may be very long.

I do not know an automatical way of defining the interaction. But you can do this with a detailed working on your model. Step by step model the interfaces between the bricks.

I suggest you, firstly to test the ineraction between the bricks, work with simple specimens such as two bricks and mortar between them. Then, you can focus this complex arch model.

I will be very gladful to hear from you,

best wishes.

Sedat Kömürcü , thanks for your last replay , but before i proceed , which software is better for my case , ANSYS or LS-DYNA , i know that ANSYS uses Explicit solver and LS-DYNA uses implicit solver , and i am trying to obtain the load which causes the bridge to collapse , so what are the difference in your opinion ?

Hi,

No, both of them can use implicit and explicit solver. In implicit analysis, inverting matrix is highly expensive for large structures. But in explicit analysis, large structures may be solved easier than implicit. In my opinion LS-DYNA generally use explicit analysis because explicit solver more suitable for dynamic problems. ANSYS APDL is also a succesful software for several structural analyses. In fact ANSYS and LS-DYNA works together. In some ANSYS versions ANSYS contains LS-DYNA solver menu. I suggest you that ANSYS version.

Best regards

Hey, I am modelling a building for fluid - structure interaction. So I need to model walls to transfer load to the frame, i.e. Beams and columns. So how should I model my brick wall and what should be its properties. Is there any method where I won't need to model brick wall and instead use a surface element to transfer loads

Dear bro how can i model masonary brick wall with wire steel mesh and plaster morter under diagonal load in Ansys please help me

Can you tell us a tutorial about the modeling of masonry structures in Ansys?