The compressive strength of vertically perforated clay block masonry predicted by means of a unit-cell type numerical simulation tool taking discrete cracking into account

Vertically perforated clay blocks with an excellent ratio of load-bearing capacity to thermal properties are highly sophisticated products, which due to their higher complexity require advanced design concepts for a reliable prediction of performance characteristics. Since the contact between blocks strongly influences the compressive strength, it is insufficient to consider single block strengths. To tackle this challenge, our numerical simulation tool is based on a unit-cell approach with periodic boundary conditions, so interaction between blocks can be considered. An extended finite element approach allows for modelling discrete cracks and, thus, brittle failure modes and compressive strengths can be predicted correctly.