Nonlinear analysis of masonry-infilled steel frames with openings using discrete element method

Nonlinear numerical modeling of masonry-infilled frames is one of the most complicated problems in structural engineering field. This complexity is attributed to the existence of joints as the major source of weakness and material nonlinearities as well as the infill-frame interaction which cannot be properly modeled using the traditional finite element methods. Although there are many numerical studies available on solid masonry-infilled steel frames’ behavior, however, few researches have been conducted on infilled frames with openings. In this paper a two-dimensional numerical model using the specialized discrete element method (DEM) software UDEC (2004) is developed for the nonlinear static analysis of masonry-infilled steel frames with openings subjected to in-plane monotonic loading. In this model, large displacements and rotations between masonry blocks are taken into account. It was found that the model can be used confidently to predict collapse load, joint cracking patterns and explore the possible failure modes of masonry-infilled steel frames with a given location for openings and relative area. Results from the numerical modeling and previous experimental studies found in the literature are compared which indicate a good correlation between them. Furthermore, a nonlinear analysis was performed to investigate the effect of door frame on lateral load capacity and stiffness of infilled frames with a central opening.