Mesoscopic modeling of failure in brick masonry accounting for three-dimensional effects

The generalised plane state assumption is examined in order to assess its ability to represent in a simplified fashion three-dimensional effects in the behaviour of planar masonry structures subjected to in-plane loads. Realistic failure mode and load-bearing capacity predictions for various loading directions are verified using homogenisation techniques by building failure loci under proportional loading. When introduced in a homogenisation scheme, the resulting macroscopic continuum presents itself in a two-dimensional format, suggesting the use of generalised plane state in multi-scale approaches where three-dimensional effects have to be taken into account.