A novel approach for the optimal positioning of fiber reinforcements in masonry structures is presented, based on topology optimization techniques. Topology optimization has already been used to generate energy-based truss-like layouts that may be straightforwardly interpreted as strut-and-tie models in concrete structures. The minimization of the so-called structural compliance allows optimal load paths to be defined, which may inspire a safe disposal of steel bars, provided that the structural element is sufficiently ductile. Due to the brittle behaviour of masonry, the minimization of the strain energy cannot be adopted as an objective. The problem may be conveniently re-formulated as a minimization of the amount of reinforcement required to keep tensile stresses in any masonry element below a prescribed threshold. The strength criteria employed for masonry elements are formulated according to a recently presented lower bound limit analysis homogenization model, based on a discretization of a quarter of any unit cell by six CST elements. As a result of the limited number of variables involved, closed form solutions for the masonry macroscopic strength domain can be obtained. This calls for the adoption of a multi-constrained discrete formulation that locally controls the stress field over the whole design domain. The contribution discusses preliminary numerical results addressing fibrereinforcement of some benchmark masonry walls.

Optimal Fibre Reinforcement for Masonry Structures using Topology Optimization

BRUGGI, MATTEO;MILANI, GABRIELE;TALIERCIO, ALBERTO
2012-01-01

Abstract

A novel approach for the optimal positioning of fiber reinforcements in masonry structures is presented, based on topology optimization techniques. Topology optimization has already been used to generate energy-based truss-like layouts that may be straightforwardly interpreted as strut-and-tie models in concrete structures. The minimization of the so-called structural compliance allows optimal load paths to be defined, which may inspire a safe disposal of steel bars, provided that the structural element is sufficiently ductile. Due to the brittle behaviour of masonry, the minimization of the strain energy cannot be adopted as an objective. The problem may be conveniently re-formulated as a minimization of the amount of reinforcement required to keep tensile stresses in any masonry element below a prescribed threshold. The strength criteria employed for masonry elements are formulated according to a recently presented lower bound limit analysis homogenization model, based on a discretization of a quarter of any unit cell by six CST elements. As a result of the limited number of variables involved, closed form solutions for the masonry macroscopic strength domain can be obtained. This calls for the adoption of a multi-constrained discrete formulation that locally controls the stress field over the whole design domain. The contribution discusses preliminary numerical results addressing fibrereinforcement of some benchmark masonry walls.
2012
Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Computational Structures Technology
978-1-905088-54-6
masonry; fibre-reinforcement; topology optimization
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/679394
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