Seismosoft | Earthquake Engineering Solutions

Hello everyone,

I'm currently working on my postgraduate research project, focusing on confined masonry modeling. I'm seeking guidance on how to effectively model confined masonry in seismostruct software.

Specifically, I'm unsure whether to model the confined masonry as a frame element with simple masonry elements or to use a RC frame with infill walls. Should I consider the complex interactions between the masonry and the confining elements, or can I simplify the model using basic elements?

Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. If you have experience with confined masonry modeling in SeismoStruct, please share your insights.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

In SeismoStruct the there are two different models for infill panels and lead bearing masonry members. The difference between the two is that:
1) infills (infill elements in SeismoStruct) are parts of RC buildings and do not carry gravity loads (apart from their self weight) as they are constructed after the casting of the slabs above
2) masonry (masonry elements in SeismoStruct) are parts of building that carry the gravity loads from the slabs, as they are constructed before the casting of the slabs
Seismosoft Support

Dear Seismosoft Support,

Thank you for your response. However, this explanation does not fully address my question.

I am specifically looking to model confined masonry, where there is a proper connection between the confining elements (beams and columns) and the masonry. In confined masonry structures, these confining elements significantly enhance the strength and ductility of the masonry elements.

Currently, I have modeled the masonry by first creating the RC frame and then adding the masonry elements using the same nodes as the RC frame. Is this the correct approach to modeling confined masonry in SeismoStruct, or is there a better way to represent the interaction between the confining elements and the masonry?

I would appreciate your guidance on the proper method to accurately model confined masonry in SeismoStruct.

Looking forward to your detailed response.

If the masonry is encased inside a RC frame, then the appropriate element type to use if the infill element.
Seismosoft Support

You can refer to Crissafulli's thesis (where our infill model is based) for more details on the modelling details.
Seismosoft Support