Research Information System
WIT Transactions on the Built Environment, vol.72, pp.371-379, 2003 (Scopus)
Reinforced masonry columns are structural elements commonly used for supporting compressive vertical loads and providing lateral support to masonry walls. Reinforcement increases the column resistance to axial and flexural loading as long as it is confined by lateral ties. The advantage of using reinforced masonry columns is that the need for formwork is eliminated through the use of hollow block units. In this study, the behavior of reinforced masonry columns under uniaxial loading is analysed by means of finite element method. Based on the Drucker- Prager yield criterion and plasticity concepts, three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analyses of the columns are accomplished to predict the load-deflection relation. For this purpose, reinforced masonry columns, all 1790 mm in height, and all constructed with 190x190x390m m two core hollow concrete blocks, are filled with infill concrete and tested under uniaxial compression. The test results are then used to evaluate the validity of the proposed approach. © 2003 WIT Press.