COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING OF MASONRY, BRICKWORK AND BLOCKWORK STRUCTURES
Edited by: J.W. Bull

Chapter 6

Modelling and Behaviour of Masonry Walls in Fire

M. O'Gara
Faculty of Engineering, University of Ulster, Newtonabbey, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

This chapter provides an insight into the thermo-structural behaviour of masonry walls at elevated temperatures, and the various parameters affecting their structural response. A detailed description of the mechanical material properties of various masonry materials at elevated temperatures is given. An involved high temperature concrete material mathematical model is presented and validated. The material model is implemented in a newly developed finite element model, capable of simulating the thermo-structural behaviour of masonry compartment walls subject to fire exposure on one side. The finite element model was used to produce numerical examples which are compared with experimental results.

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