Author

G.C. ZHOU, M.Y. RAFIQ, G. BUGMANN and D.J. EASTERBROOK
School of Civil and Structural Engineering
University of Plymouth

Abstract

In this paper the Cellular Automata (CA) technique is used to model the boundary effect on zones within a panel in order to select stiffness/strength correctors from a known panel (the base panel) for any new panels with and without an opening and with different boundary conditions. In this CA model, an appropriate function (transition function) is proposed which propagates initial values representing boundary types into each zone within the panel. Thus every zone within the panel is assigned a state value. These state values of the panel are then used to establish zone similarities and assign corrector values for zones within the new panel. The research also investigates the effect of parameter values for different boundary types and the transition coefficient for use in the CA model. Finally, the research examines the effect of correctors on the FEA results for the panels. It is discovered that by using this method considerable improvement in the prediction of failure loads and failure patterns of masonry panels when compared with their experimental results is achieved.