Dynamic interface model for masonry walls subjected to high strain rate out-of-plane loads

• A dynamic constitutive interface model is proposed.
• Numerical simulations of impact response of masonry walls are conducted to validate the model capability.
• The influence of tensile strength on high strain rate response of the walls is more significant than the cohesion.
• The use of a zero dilatancy in case of a localized impact load leads to localized failure with shear sliding between the blocks.

The present study proposes a dynamic constitutive material interface model that includes non-associated flow rule and high strain rate effects, implemented in the finite element code ABAQUS as a user subroutine. First, the model capability is validated with numerical simulations of unreinforced block work masonry walls subjected to low velocity impact. The results obtained are compared with field test data and good agreement is found. Subsequently, a comprehensive parametric analysis is accomplished with different joint tensile strengths and cohesion, and wall thickness to evaluate the effect of the parameter variations on the impact response of masonry walls.