Moment/thrust interaction diagrams for reinforced masonry sections

This paper presents a numerical analysis for estimating moment/thrust interaction diagrams for reinforced masonry sections. Realistic constitutive models are used for the masonry and steel reinforcement. Considering compatibility of strains and equilibrium of forces on reinforced masonry sections, the moment–curvature relationships for different axial thrusts are first produced. The moment–thrust interaction diagrams are then developed. Comparisons between the behaviour predicted using the current method and experiments conducted on reinforced and unreinforced masonry short columns are presented to examine the validity of the developed method. Finally, a parametric study of the material properties is undertaken.