A block-based variational elasto-damage model for masonry analysis inspired from granular micromechanics: preliminary study

We develop a new block-based elasto-damage model for describing masonry structures. The constitutive elastic and damage behavioural laws used within the proposed approach are inspired from those employed in the recent literature in granular micromechanics. Adaptations have been made in many respects, notably the inclusion of impenetrability constraints through energy barriers. The analysis carried out in this paper proves that realistic masonry deformation modes can be obtained.