Mechanical Behaviour of Masonry Panels under In-Plane Loads

This work examines the mechanical behaviour and bearing capacity of masonry panels subjected to vertical and horizontal loads. We will show that by adopting the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and applying some simple considerations drawn from classical limit analysis, the value of the horizontal load capable of leading to panel collapse can be predicted, together with some other essential parameters characterising the failure mode itself. Upper bound estimates of the collapse multiplier value can be easily obtained by examining the possible mechanisms of panel collapse by sliding or rotation. Lower bound estimates can instead be determined by building suitable, non-uniform statically admissible stress fields. The estimated collapse load values obtained for the single panel are used to make some predictions about the load capacity of a masonry wall subjected to both vertical and horizontal loads.