Constitutive modeling for unreinforced masonry materials

Extensive studies on masonry have been carried out with respects to material strengths, stiffness and bearing capacities of structural members, as well as analyses of building, etc. However, researches into the micromechanical behavior and constitutive modeling of masonry materials lag behind. A widely accepted constitutive model to describe reasonably the nonlinear behavior of the complete load-bearing course and be suitable for FEA has not been established, which hampers the masonry' s extensive use in some degree. A comprehensive state-of-the-art survey on the constitutive modeling for masonry materials is presented. The constitutive models of masonry materials can be divided into discrete model and smeared model due to joint and unit being modeled separately or not. Stress is lay on every characteristics, modeling method and analysis object. Micromodeling is the primary and reasonable method to understand the constitutive features thorough. And the interface behavior of unit and joint is the key.