Numerical Analysis of the Dynamic Response of Masonry

Structures Subjected to Impact and Explosive Loading

Wahid K. Arif,
1
School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a numerical analysis of the dynamic response of masonry
structures subjected to impact and explosive loading. Based on an investigative
project, two multi-storey brick masonry models have been modelled using
Abaqus/CAE 6.9.1 developed by Simulia. These models were subjected to various
types of impact and blast loadings. By using the analysis one may gain a clearer
understanding of the types of failure of masonry structures and of the stresses
transferred throughout the structures.
Keywords: Masonry; numerical analysis; Abaqus; dynamic response; impact/blast
loading, FEM
1
email address for correspondence: wahidarif@gmail.com
Numerical Analysis of the Dynamic Response of Masonry
Structures Subjected to Impact and Explosive Loading
INTRODUCTION
Structural engineers are responsible for constructing and designing public buildings
providing life safety in the face of explosions and heavy impact loading. Blast
loadings are known to inflict the most damage in the vicinity of an explosion.
Prevention of progressive collapse is therefore an important characteristic that must
be included in terms of design and construction; it is the key to success for structural
engineers as considerable weaknesses in protecting structures against damage and
destruction are caused by impact and blast loadings. (Elliot et al., 1992). In this
context, computer program simulations could be extremely valuable in testing a wide
range of building types and structural details over a broad range of hypothetical
events. (National Academy Press, 1995).
When considering structures subjected to impact loading, the main issue which has
recently become of renewed interest is the design and analysis of masonry
structures. Available codes of practice contain recommendations for the control of
flexure in terms of low strain rate loading, notably wind loading for masonry. However
only basic suggestions are provided in the case of high strain rate loadings notably
impact and blast loadings.
Failure in masonry structures due to terrorism highlights the fact that an effective
system to improve the physical and mechanical properties of masonry units is
needed. It is known that the degree of damage depends on the capacity of the
detonation, the location of the structure and its conditions. However, research has
shown that injuries from external explosions are not necessarily caused by
fragments, heat or pressure of the detonation itself, but are caused from
disintegration and fragmentation of walls, panels as well as the collapsing of failed
structures. Therefore different methods of strengthening structures such as
elastomeric coating and fibre glass composite units should be introduced in order to
control the scattering of debris at high velocities.
The type of impact and blast the building has to restrain when subjected to various
loadings is likely to affect the outcome or success of structural rigidity. The outcome
or success of structural rigidity will be dictated by the type of impact or blast the
structure will be subjected to, and the type of masonry used.
This paper presents two alternative criteria to quantify the state of unreinforced
masonry structures subjected to impact and explosive loading. An eight story
structure with openings and a two storey house with internal wall partitions shall be
subjected to different loading conditions. The reaction in terms of the impact/blast will
enable one to thoroughly analyse the different types of dynamic loading and how
extreme and severe they can be.
A detailed conclusion will reveal how accurately the analysis can simulate real life
situations, and will put forward recommendations to solve the many problems
occurring in this field of engineering.
MASONRY PROPERTIES
Unreinforced masonry is an anisotropic material which, depending on the joints, can
create planes of weakness eventually leading to failure. This makes the behaviour of
masonry dependant on the direction of applied forces. Different mechanical
properties such as Poissons ratio, Youngs modulus, shear modulus and modulus of
rupture depend on the direction of the loading. In masonry the strength of a unit will
decrease with the increase of height due to the restraining effect of lateral
deformation. It is known that the taller the building, the more the units have to resist
the tensile forces and lateral restraints causing deformation and displacement in the
mortar.
Masonry is notorious for being vulnerable in tension; hence it is important to carry out
numerical analysis using finite element analysis/method (FEM) to assess the
behaviour of masonry under impact and explosive loading. With this one may
determine the failure analysis, safety analysis and the simulation of masonry before
or after the tests in order to validate the results. Abaqus/CAE is based on FEM and
shall be used to simulate the response of the two masonry structures under impact
and explosive loadings.
MODEL 1, SIMULATION OF AN EIGHT STOREY BUILDING SUBJECTED
TO VARIOUS TYPES OF LOADINGS
The first structure modelled was an eight storey brick masonry building. This model
was constructed in relation to the model described by Wu and Hao. (Wu and Hao,
2007). Identical properties were taken and modelled with Abaqus/CAE rather than
LS-DYNA3D.
The span, length and width of the eight storey building are 10.0 and 5.0m,
respectively.
The height of all stories is 3.0m. The total height of the structure is 24.0m. Wall
thickness has been assumed to be 0.4m with a floor thickness of 0.2m.
The structure is assumed to be free standing, fixed at the bottom.
The density of the brick unit has been assumed as 1800 kg/m3.
Youngs modulus E = 2.68 x 1010
Poissons ratio v = 0.2.
A gas explosion caused in a room on the 4th floor within 0.005 seconds
(9E+007kPa).
A concentrated impact loading of 9E+007kPa forced onto the structure within
0.005 seconds .
To simulate the effects of the blast/impact load of the model, the concentrated force
as well as the pressure of the loadings shall be instantaneously applied immediately
on the structure creating immediate interaction between them. To analyse the
reaction of the model, various loadings have been specified to hit the wall.
Figure 1: Gas Explosion Figure 2: Impact Loading
Figure 1 presents a simulation of a gas explosion in a room. In this case a ramping
pressure is applied to the inner walls, ceiling and floor of the room. Figure 2 presents
the impact loading of the structure. This type of impact will simulate the response of
the building in terms of an object in motion colliding into the structure. A real life
example could be the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York. All elastic
models were constructed using Abaqus/CAE. An incremental step time between
each frame of the initial model had an increasing step time of 2.5E-04 seconds.
Isometric views as well as different section cuts and plans are illustrated (below) to
help examine the stresses of the structure when subjected to various loadings.
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM AND TEST RESULTS FOR MODEL 1
Maximum Principle Stress Results for the Gas Explosion
Maximum Principle Stress Results for the Impact loading
Key Points of Analysis for the Maximum Principle Stress of the Gas Explosion
The explosion of the room encompasses around the openings
Stress waves from the room propagate in a circular fashion making their way to
the corners
The walls of the structure give a bouncing back or recoil effect leading to a high
concentration of stress
The largest stress value has been simulated to be +1.588E+10Pa
Rebounding of the structure occurs causing high localised displacement.
Key Points of Analysis for the Maximum Principle Stress of the Impact loading
Stress contours spread outwards from the point of impact
The greatest stresses contain a value of 1.398E+10Pa
Creation of both shear and large stresses across the structure due to impact
which affects the shape of the structure resulting in deformation of the front face
leading to thrusting of the back of the building
It is noticeable that the stress values at the point of impact have rebounded after
the fourth frame
Over-damaged top part of the structure
MODEL 2, SIMULATION OF A TWO STOREY HOUSE SUBJECTED TO
VARIOUS TYPES OF LOADINGS
The second structure modelled was an innovative two storey brick masonry house.
This model created was inspired by Wu and Hao, and Zapata and Weggel. The
structure was modelled as domestic structures are rarely taken into account when
subjected to blast or impact loading.
The width of the multi-storey structure is 38.0m. The height of both stories is 3.0
m. The total height of the total structure is 6.0 m. The depth of the structure is
25m. Wall thickness has been assumed to be 0.4 m with a floor thickness of 0.2m
The structure is assumed to be free standing, fixed at the bottom
The density of the brick unit has been assumed as 1800 kg/m3
Youngs modulus E = 2.68 x 1010
Poissons ratio v = 0.2
A blast loading of 9E+007 kPa, pressurised within 0.005 seconds
Figure 3: Blast pressure target located at South face of the structure
Figure 3 presents a situation in which a blast pressure hits the South face of the
structure. This type of impact loading on the structure was emphasised in the paper
by Wu and Hao, the distance point in which the detonation of the explosion is located
has a rather large outcome in the shaking and drifting of the structure as the
explosion hits the house causing fracture, eventually leading to failure.
All elastic models were constructed using Abaqus/CAE. An incremental step time
between each frame of the initial model had an increasing step time of 2.5E-04
seconds. Isometric views as well as different section cuts and plans are illustrated
(below) to help examine the stresses of the structure when subjected to various
loadings.
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM AND TEST RESULTS FOR MODEL 2
Maximum Principle Stress Results for Blast Loading
TOP FLOOR SECTION PL
Key Points of Analysis for the Maximum Principle Stress of the Blast Loading
The blast wave reached the south
The highest stress value
The ground floor is reacting more to the explosion than the top floor
Stress values show a Rebound effect
The increase is due to the rebound effect
Observations of the Analysis of Models
The main observations of the analysis of models can be summarised as below:
If an impact/blast loading is applied on a brick masonry structure, fixed at the
bottom, at any given point except the areas near the boundary condition, the
impact area reaches a plastic state forming
Furthermore, stress, strain and energy waves start to appear and disperse
throughout the structure eventually reaching the corners and fixed ends leading to
deformation, cracking and eventually collapsing of the structure.
Excessive stress, strain and energy waves can lead to failure, depending on the
properties of the structure as well as the magnitude of loading. Such waves may
cause internal and external cracking of the structure deteriorating over time
TOP FLOOR SECTION PLAN B-B
Key Points of Analysis for the Maximum Principle Stress of the Blast Loading
last wave reached the south-face
st stress value was +3.348E+10Pa
The ground floor is reacting more to the explosion than the top floor
Rebound effect due to high concentration of stresses
The increase is due to the rebound effect
Observations of the Analysis of Models
of the analysis of models can be summarised as below:
If an impact/blast loading is applied on a brick masonry structure, fixed at the
bottom, at any given point except the areas near the boundary condition, the
impact area reaches a plastic state forming a plastic hinge before failure.
Furthermore, stress, strain and energy waves start to appear and disperse
throughout the structure eventually reaching the corners and fixed ends leading to
deformation, cracking and eventually collapsing of the structure.
Excessive stress, strain and energy waves can lead to failure, depending on the
properties of the structure as well as the magnitude of loading. Such waves may
external cracking of the structure deteriorating over time
Key Points of Analysis for the Maximum Principle Stress of the Blast Loading
The ground floor is reacting more to the explosion than the top floor
due to high concentration of stresses
of the analysis of models can be summarised as below:
If an impact/blast loading is applied on a brick masonry structure, fixed at the
bottom, at any given point except the areas near the boundary condition, the
a plastic hinge before failure.
Furthermore, stress, strain and energy waves start to appear and disperse
throughout the structure eventually reaching the corners and fixed ends leading to
Excessive stress, strain and energy waves can lead to failure, depending on the
properties of the structure as well as the magnitude of loading. Such waves may
external cracking of the structure deteriorating over time
leading to failure and permanent deformation of the structure. Cracking of brick
masonry generally occurs due to poor tensile resistance as previously discussed.
Wall openings increase the vulnerability of the structures against impact/blast
loads, especially if the loads are closely applied to the openings. Having a
minimum number of openings notably in the ground floor is recommended. It is
very important that appropriate sizes of openings are set. The magnitude of the
reaction and the resistance of masonry structures against impact loading depend
on the size and distance between the opening and the point of impact/blast.
Moreover, the impact time duration also has major effects on the reaction of the
structure against loads.
The resistance of the wall against impact/blast loads are greater and more
effective near the restrained/fixed edges of the wall. It is also noticeable that wall
partitions in a structure help in terms of resistance to impact/blast loading. Without
wall partitions providing resistance to the structures, open spaces are prone to
failure as they offer less resistance.
CONCLUSION
A simple overview of the stresses has been critically discussed regarding the
standard factors affecting these structures under dynamic loading in which the stress
is produced by tensile stress. In many load cases for both models the dynamic
loading applied to the wall in the ZZ direction acts perpendicular towards each model.
When actually hitting the structure the blast pressure affecting the models leads to an
increase of kinetic energy of the system producing larger velocity in each element.
The higher velocity leads to movement of the elements resulting in large
displacement of the structures.
Both structures were exposed to flexure and extreme lateral forces. The effects of
forces on buildings are related to both the weight and height of the building. The
higher the buildings weight is above its support base, the further the top of the
building will move under the same force.
With the models being fixed at the bottom, the stress properties from Model 2 were
the most vulnerable areas in which the transfer of waves and energy were at the
corners of the boundary condition, reaching a stress value of +3.348E+10 Pa. The
values listed in the contour legend may be rather surprising as the maximum stress
has been specified to be +3.348E+10 Pa, which should not be possible since the
material was assumed to be perfectly plastic at this stress magnitude. This
misleading result occurs because of the algorithm that Abaqus/Viewer uses to create
contour plots for element variables, such as maximum principle stresses. Abaqus/
Viewer uses linear extrapolation to calculate the nodal values of element variables. In
order to show a contour plot of the stress, Abaqus/Viewer extrapolates the stress
components from the integration points to the nodal locations within each element
and calculates the stress. If the differences in stress values fall within the specified
averaging threshold, nodal averaged stresses are calculated from each surrounding
element's invariant stress value. Invariant values exceeding the elastic limit can be
produced by the extrapolation process. (SIMULIA, 2008).
Abaqus CAE is quite capable of analysing the data represented and modelled in
many different shapes; however it is mostly used in determining the deformation and
stress/strain levels of the model with pre-defined elastic properties. A computational
model analysis of a brick masonry structure will give an approximate reaction when
subjected to an impact/blast loading in relation to time, but it will not be an exact
replica of the actual response when subjected to the dynamic loading. The behaviour
of masonry differs from a standard material model. Being a continuous and a
homogenous material consisting of small elements connected with mortar, its tensile
strength is much lower than its compressive strength. Unfortunately it is a material
that is not frequently used and is often ignored today, but if one were to compare the
usefulness of the material back in the nineteenth century, the use of masonry was
considered the best; the invention of steel and concrete fabrication has changed
this situation however. The fact that there are no specific standards specifying codes
for the destruction of masonry, or the response of masonry projectiles due to
blast/impact loading is a critical area that could be improved upon. A small amount of
tensile resistance should be provided to avoid instability problems; perhaps the
remoulding of masonry bricks may provide a more sturdy structure which could be
more blast efficient. Masonry behaves in an elastic brittle fashion with very low
capacity to tolerate strain during heavy impacts. Therefore, the idea of reinforcing the
standard material can be an option to be taken into consideration.
References
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National Academy Press.
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impact loads using a coupled-multi solver approach. Hunan, China.
Wu C. Q. and Hao H. (2007). Safe Scaled Distance for Masonry Infilled RC Frame
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Zapata, B.J. and Weggel D.C. (2008). Collapse Study of an Unreinforced Masonry
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22, No. 2.