Author

B. KRALJ Jugoturbina-Institut, Yugoslavia
and
J. MIDDLETON and G. N. PANDE University College of Swansea

Abstract

This paper describes a new computational approach for the assessment of frost damage to brick masonry. Masonry is modelled as an equivalent homogeneous material and an effective porosity concept is introduced to describe the variety of other relevant factors for frost damage. Effects of ice formation on the mechanical properties of masonry are shown, as well as the effects of a single orthotropic brick unit. A mechanism for frost damage is proposed and incorporated in a finite programme for two dimensional analyses. This approach is applied to the problem of a partially saturated free-standing wall subjected to frost damage. The results obtained qualitatively agree with frost damage observed in simulated physical tests.