Crack Propagation Analysis at Openings in Unreinforced Masonry Walls Due to Lateral and Vertical Loads.
This study aimed to numerically examine the behavior of crack propagation in unreinforced masonry walls with openings under in-plane vertical loads. The research investigates how variables like opening size, location, and aspect ratio affect the initiation, spread, and eventual failure of the walls....
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Kabale University
2025
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2754 |
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| author | Ihangu, Derrick |
| author_facet | Ihangu, Derrick |
| author_sort | Ihangu, Derrick |
| collection | KAB-DR |
| description | This study aimed to numerically examine the behavior of crack propagation in unreinforced masonry walls with openings under in-plane vertical loads. The research investigates how variables like opening size, location, and aspect ratio affect the initiation, spread, and eventual failure of the walls. The wall model was developed using Abaqus software, with geometry and material properties based on previous experimental data. To ensure the accuracy of the simulation, the software's results were validated by comparing load-displacement curves with experimental outcomes before conducting further parametric studies. The results show that walls with larger openings (20%) experienced failure at lower loads compared to those with smaller openings (10% and 15%). Cracks were primarily observed at the top corners of the openings and in the section of the wall above the top opening. For walls with smaller aspect ratios (1/3), failure occurred at lower stress levels, although their crack patterns were similar to those of walls with other opening sizes. Furthermore, walls with smaller openings (5%) positioned at the top left and right corners required higher loads to fail but displayed cracks in the same locations as larger openings (10%). This behavior could be influenced by the nature of the applied loads.
Lateral loads, such as those caused by wind or seismic activity, can exacerbate the failure mechanisms in masonry walls, especially at the openings where stress concentrations are highest. Masonry walls are often designed to resist vertical loads, but lateral loads introduce horizontal forces that lead to tension and shear in areas around openings. This can accelerate crack formation and ultimately lead to wall collapse. Without reinforcement, unreinforced masonry structures are particularly vulnerable to lateral forces, which can significantly reduce their load-bearing capacity and stability.
Based on these findings, it is recommended that improvements be made to unreinforced masonry walls, such as adding lintels above openings to better distribute vertical loads and incorporating reinforcement strategies, like steel bars, to improve the walls' resistance to both vertical and lateral loads. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:idr.kab.ac.ug:20.500.12493-2754 |
| institution | KAB-DR |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Kabale University |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oai:idr.kab.ac.ug:20.500.12493-27542025-01-15T00:01:04Z Crack Propagation Analysis at Openings in Unreinforced Masonry Walls Due to Lateral and Vertical Loads. Ihangu, Derrick Crack Propagation Analysis Openings Unreinforced Masonry Walls Lateral Vertical Loads This study aimed to numerically examine the behavior of crack propagation in unreinforced masonry walls with openings under in-plane vertical loads. The research investigates how variables like opening size, location, and aspect ratio affect the initiation, spread, and eventual failure of the walls. The wall model was developed using Abaqus software, with geometry and material properties based on previous experimental data. To ensure the accuracy of the simulation, the software's results were validated by comparing load-displacement curves with experimental outcomes before conducting further parametric studies. The results show that walls with larger openings (20%) experienced failure at lower loads compared to those with smaller openings (10% and 15%). Cracks were primarily observed at the top corners of the openings and in the section of the wall above the top opening. For walls with smaller aspect ratios (1/3), failure occurred at lower stress levels, although their crack patterns were similar to those of walls with other opening sizes. Furthermore, walls with smaller openings (5%) positioned at the top left and right corners required higher loads to fail but displayed cracks in the same locations as larger openings (10%). This behavior could be influenced by the nature of the applied loads. Lateral loads, such as those caused by wind or seismic activity, can exacerbate the failure mechanisms in masonry walls, especially at the openings where stress concentrations are highest. Masonry walls are often designed to resist vertical loads, but lateral loads introduce horizontal forces that lead to tension and shear in areas around openings. This can accelerate crack formation and ultimately lead to wall collapse. Without reinforcement, unreinforced masonry structures are particularly vulnerable to lateral forces, which can significantly reduce their load-bearing capacity and stability. Based on these findings, it is recommended that improvements be made to unreinforced masonry walls, such as adding lintels above openings to better distribute vertical loads and incorporating reinforcement strategies, like steel bars, to improve the walls' resistance to both vertical and lateral loads. 2025-01-14T07:18:00Z 2025-01-14T07:18:00Z 2024 Thesis Ihangu, Derrick (2024). Crack Propagation Analysis at Openings in Unreinforced Masonry Walls Due to Lateral and Vertical Loads. Kabale: Kabale University. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2754 en Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ application/pdf Kabale University |
| spellingShingle | Crack Propagation Analysis Openings Unreinforced Masonry Walls Lateral Vertical Loads Ihangu, Derrick Crack Propagation Analysis at Openings in Unreinforced Masonry Walls Due to Lateral and Vertical Loads. |
| title | Crack Propagation Analysis at Openings in Unreinforced Masonry Walls Due to Lateral and Vertical Loads. |
| title_full | Crack Propagation Analysis at Openings in Unreinforced Masonry Walls Due to Lateral and Vertical Loads. |
| title_fullStr | Crack Propagation Analysis at Openings in Unreinforced Masonry Walls Due to Lateral and Vertical Loads. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Crack Propagation Analysis at Openings in Unreinforced Masonry Walls Due to Lateral and Vertical Loads. |
| title_short | Crack Propagation Analysis at Openings in Unreinforced Masonry Walls Due to Lateral and Vertical Loads. |
| title_sort | crack propagation analysis at openings in unreinforced masonry walls due to lateral and vertical loads |
| topic | Crack Propagation Analysis Openings Unreinforced Masonry Walls Lateral Vertical Loads |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2754 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ihanguderrick crackpropagationanalysisatopeningsinunreinforcedmasonrywallsduetolateralandverticalloads |