1035x
003445
2019-08-08

Question

Is it possible to perform a seismic analysis with the masonry material model?


Answer:

The RF‑/DYNAM Pro - Equivalent Loads add-on module only contains a linear analysis of structures. If you now apply a nonlinear model for the calculation, RF‑/DYNAM Pro - Equivalent Loads will modify it internally and treat it as a linear model. The nonlinearity in your model is the masonry, which cannot absorb any tensile forces.

The problem is as follows: RF‑/DYNAM Pro - Equivalent Loads calculates the equivalent loads linearly and exports the load cases from them. However, the load cases are subsequently calculated nonlinearly on the basis of the material model, which is not entirely correct. Furthermore, the results are superimposed according to the SRSS or CQC method, which results in tensile and compressive forces being present in the model.

In this case, you could change the masonry to isotropic linear and work with linear properties of the material model, for example. Additionally, it is possible to insert line hinges at this location, which could be used to avoid the moment restraint, for example.