Application of a coupled homogenization-damage model to masonry tunnel vaults

This paper presents an approach developed to study the behavior of the masonry vaulted tunnels in order to evaluate the serviceability state and failure load. An appropriate homogenization technique is used to simulate the global anisotropic behavior across the vault. The model takes into account isotropic damage in each component of the masonry and the variations of the directions of anisotropy in case of a vault. A set of comparisons with experimental tests allowed the validation of the proposed approach. Failure loads and deformation states are correctly assessed. The present model was programmed in the finite element code CESAR-LCPC.