Explicit finite element analysis of lightly reinforced masonry shear walls

Explicit finite element analysis (FEA) of masonry shear walls containing reinforcement at spacing between 800 mm and 2000 mm, referred to as wide spaced reinforced masonry (WSRM), are modelled using macroscopic material characteristics for the unreinforced masonry (URM) panels and damaged concrete plasticity for the grouted cores containing reinforcement. The material model and some basic principles of the explicit finite element algorithm are briefly discussed. It has been shown that by minimising the kinetic energy and using an appropriate time scaling and/or damping factor, the FEA could provide reasonable and efficient prediction of the behaviour of the WSRM and URM shear walls.