Journal of Science & Technology

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3D Finite Element Analysis ff Hollow Concrete

Block Masonry
Ahmed Hasan A. Al-Wathaf+

Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis for hollow concrete block masonry prisms is presented
in this paper using an 8-nodded iso-parametric brick element. The objective of the study is to investigate
analytically the behavior of conventional and interlocking block masonry system under axial loading.
Web splitting and tensile stress in block webs are explored through a comparison between the analysis
results of prisms in both masonry systems. The analysis results show that the interlocking block masonry
system reveals almost the same behavior as the conventional masonry system under axial loading which
provides evidence using the interlocking block as an alternative masonry system.

Keywords: Masonry, Concrete hollow block, Finite element, Web splitting, Prism.

1. Introduction
A variety of interlocking masonry blocks have been invented world wide [1, 2]. The
objective of such activities is to develop concrete masonry blocks whose configurations are
deliberately shaped in such a way that they can be laid without conventional mortar bedding,
instead the block units are interconnected through interlocking keys (protrusions and
grooves) as shown in Figure (1). Interlocking between the blocks provides self-alignment,
and it speeds the construction of the wall. The goal in the interlocking system is to assure
efficient construction is created with well-aligned masonry structures even without skilled
masons. Regarding the raw materials and production process of the interlocking concrete
block unit, it has the same raw materials of conventional concrete block and takes the same
production process.
An important observation on the conventional mortared (with mortar) hollow block
masonry indicates that the failure of face-shell-bedded hollow masonry under uniaxial
compression started by web splitting in the plane of the wall in a mechanism similar to deep
beam bending [3]. This initial cracking has been observed and conformed by several
investigators [4, 5, 6, & 7]. Page and Shrive [8] obtained the same results for hollow
concrete mortared masonry subjected to concentrated loads. Shrive [3] and Guo [9] reported
that the webs of the face shell mortar bedded hollow block prism started to crack at
a relatively low load.

Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sanaa University, Sanaa, Email:

aalwathaf@suye.ac

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As shown above, web splitting in the conventional hollow block masonry has been
documented in different experimental and analytical studies. This phenomenon needs to be
investigated in the interlocking mortarless hollow block masonry which is an alternative
masonry system to the conventional masonry. This study presents the results of finite element
analysis for the interlocking masonry prism to investigate the splitting of webs of block units.

Fig. (1): Interlocking Hollow Block Masonry System

A three-dimensional (3D) 8-noded iso-parametric brick element was used in the analysis to
model the entire hollow block parts, face-shells and webs. The 3D brick element and its
shape functions used in the analysis are shown in Figure (2). A computer program 3DFEIB
(3-Dimensional Finite Element Interlocking Block) has been developed in FORTRAN code
to implement the analysis. The formulation and programming concept of the 3D finite
element analysis using brick element can be found elsewhere [10, 11].

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Fig. (2): 8-Noded Iso-Parametric Brick Element and Its Shape Functions.

3D finite element discretization seems to be the accurate and real simulation for hollow
block masonry because the block units have different elements (face-shells and webs).
Moreover, the interaction between face-shells and webs due to the three dimensional stress
filed in the hollow block system will be taken highly into consideration in the 3D molding
which yields more accurate results. For comparative purposes, another conventional hollow
block prism (without interlocking projections) was analyzed to study the developed tensile
stress in its webs.

2. Analysis Considerations
Strength characteristics of masonry prisms are used as the basis for assigning design stress
which has been adopted by most standards. Its importance has made prism behavior a major
research focus and potential correlations with other large assemblage behavior characteristics
have been investigated. These points justify utilizing prism in the analysis to give an
indication about the behavior of the masonry system instead of a large scale wall. The
analysis was conducted twice; the first analysis was for the interlocking prism (with
projections) and the second analysis was for the conventional mortared prism (without
projections).
In this analysis of prisms, vertical uniform load is applied and full contact (no
imperfections) between block-to-block joint interfaces is assumed. Splitting of web occurs at
a relatively low load [3, 9] and thus linear analysis can be conducted. The nodes at the bottom
of blocks were restrained from movement in X, Y and Z directions and an axial load of 3.0
N/mm2 was applied in Y-direction. The load was applied vertically on the face-shells only
because they are the load-bearing parts in this system whereas webs in the transverse
direction are non-bearing elements in the prism because they are not aligned successively in
the vertical direction as shown in Figure (1).

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Mesh Generation
The studied prisms consist of three courses, the bottom stretcher, the two halves in the
middle, and the top stretcher (Figure 1). To assure consistency in the meshes of individual
blocks in the assembled prism, the meshes were constructed for individual blocks in which
they are parts of the prism. Figures (3 and 4) show the analyzed prism meshes for
interlocking (with projections) and conventional (without projections) masonry system
respectively. The individual block units are also shown separately in the figures to illustrate
their arrangement in the prism. It can be observed that the webs of the half and top stretcher
block units in the prisms are non-load bearing and formed as deep beams supported at their
ends only. Hence their vertical loads are transmitted to the base by the face-shells.

Fig. (3): 3D FE meshes for individual interlocking block units and assembling prism.

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Fig. (4): 3D FE meshes for individual conventional block units and assembling prism .

3. Results and Discussion

3.1 Deformations

Figures (5 and 6) represent the deformed meshes for conventional and interlocking prisms
respectively. It is observed from these figures that both prisms have in general a similar mode
of deformation under axial loading. The curvature of non-bearing web of the half unit in the
middle course is obvious in the deformed mesh for both prisms which certainly induces
tensile stress at the bottom of the webs. As shown in Figure (6), the vertical displacement of
the webs in the conventional prism is higher than the interlocking system. Figure (8) show the
lateral displacement of face-shell along the prism height. The conventional prism reveals
higher lateral displacement at the face-shell than the interlocking prism.

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Frame 001 27 Sep 2003 Prism WITHOUT PROJECTION

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Deflected web

Fig. (5): Side view of deformed mesh of conventional prism.

Frame 001 27 Sep 2003 PRISM WITH PROJECTION

Deflected web

Fig. (6): Side view for deformed mesh of interlocking prism.

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0
0

50

100

150

200

Vertical displacement mm

-0.005
-0.01
-0.015
Prism w ithout
projections

-0.02

Prism w ith
projections

-0.025
-0.03
-0.035
-0.04

Distance mm

Fig. (7): Vertical displacement of web;

700

Prism w ithout
projections

600

Prism w ith
projections

H eig h t m m

500
400
300
200
100
0
-0.003

-0.002

-0.001

0.001

Lateral disp. mm
Fig. (8): Lateral displacement of face-shell.

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3.2 Stresses Distribution

A longitudinal section in the vertical direction inside the prisms was employed to show the
stress distribution inside the prism. Principal stresses S1 (maximum principal stress) in the
conventional prism is shown in Figure (9) in a half prism. The highest tensile stress (1.92
MPa) is induced at the lower part of non-bearing webs in the middle course which may cause
splitting of the web. This result agrees with the previous studies of hollow block masonry
which reported that the initial failure of walls was attributed to the splitting of the webs.
Figure (10) shows the principle stress S1 in the interlocking prism. Almost similar stresses
distribution is observed compared to the conventional prism and also the highest tensile stress
is induced at the lower part of nonbearing webs in the middle course. However, the maximum
tensile stress is decreased to 1.66 MPa which is 15.6% less than tensile stress at the bottom of
the non-bearing webs of the conventional prism. The reduction in the maximum tensile stress
is due to the reduction of the lateral relative displacement of both sides of face shells as
shown in Figure (8) which decreases the tensile strain at the bottom of the webs of the
interlocking prism. This reduction in tensile stress diminishes the possibility of splitting the
webs and increases the load carrying capacity. The previous observation is depicted in Figure
(11) which represents a comparison of the principal stress S1 for non-bearing webs in the
interior web of the right half block of the middle course of the both prisms. Table (1) shows
a comparison between both prisms for the maximum displacements and tensile stresses
results.
Frame 001 27 Sep 2003 Prism with projection

Y
S1
1.7708
1.6222
1.4737
1.3252
1.1766
1.0281
0.8795
0.7310
0.5825
0.4339
0.2854
0.1369
-0.0117
-0.1602
-0.3088

Max tensile stress

in web
Min : -0.4529 MPa
Max : 1.9193 MPa

Fig. (9): Principal stress S1 in conventional prism.

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Frame 001 27 Sep 2003 Prism with projection

Y
S1
1.5246
1.3924
1.2601
1.1279
0.9956
0.8633
0.7311
0.5988
0.4665
0.3343
0.2020
0.0698
-0.0625
-0.1948
-0.3270

Max tensile stress

in web
Min : -0.45929 MPa
Max : 1.6569 MPa

Fig. (10): Principal stress S1 in interlocking prism.

450
400
350

Height mm

300
Prism w ithout
projections

250
200

Prism w ith
projections

150
100
50
0
-0.5

0.5

1.5

2.5

Stress (S1) MPa

Fig. (11): Tensile stress diagram (S1) at internal web of half block unit of the prisms.

Table (1): Maximum values of displacement and stress for both prisms
interlocking

conventional

prism

prism

Vertical displacement of web (mm)

0.037

0.0379

Lateral displacement of face-shell (mm)

0.002

0.0025

1.66

1.92

Tensile stress in web (N/mm )

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4. Conclusion
For the studied cases, the following conclusions can be drawn:
1. The general mode of deformation and stress distribution are almost similar in the
interlocking and conventional masonry system.
2. The analysis of the results show that higher tensile stresses are developed at nonbearing
webs of the interlocking and conventional prisms, and this causes web splitting.
3. The projections in the interlocking prism reduce the lateral deformation of the face-shells
and non-bearing webs which in turn reduces the developed tensile stresses in the webs.
4. The maximum tensile stress is decreased about 15.6% at the bottom of nonbearing webs
in interlocking prisms compared with conventional prisms.
5. The analysis results provide evidence that the interlocking mortarless block masonry
can be used as alternative masonry system.

5. References
[1]. Harris, H., Oh, K. and Hamid, A.: "Development of new interlocking and mortarless
block masonry units for efficient building systems". in Proceeding of The Sixth
Canadian Masonry Symposium Saskatoon, Canada, June 15-17, 1992.
[2]. Thanoon, W. A., Jaafar M. S., Abdul Kadir, M. R., Ali, A. A., Trikha, D.N. and Najm, A.
M.: "Development of an Innovative Interlocking Load Bearing Hollow Block System
in Malaysia". Construction and Building Materials, 18, 445-454. 2004.
[3]. Shrive, N.G.: "The Failure Mechanism of Face-Shell Bedded (Ungrouped and
Unreinforced) Masonry". Int. Jnl. Masonry Construction, Vol.2, No 3, p.115-128, 1982.
[4]. Fattal, S.G. and cattaneo, L.E.: "Structural Performance of Masonry Walls Under
Compression and Flexure". Building Science Series 73, National Bureau of Standards,
1976, Washington, D.C., USA.
[5]. Beccia, I.J. and Harris, H.G.: "Behavior of Hollow Concrete Masonry Prisms Under Axial
Load and Bending", The Masonry Society Journal, Vol.2, No.2, p T1-T26, 1983.
[6]. Hamed,A.A.and Chukwunenye, A.: "Effect of Type of Mortar Bedding on the Behavior
of Axially Loaded Hollow Block Masonry Prism". Proc. 3rd North American Masonry
conf., Arlington, Texas, USA, p16-1 to 16-11, 1985.
[7]. Xie, H., Page, A.W., and Kleeman, P. W.: "An Investigation of the Compressive Failure
Mechanism for Face-Shell Bedded Hollow Masonry". Proc. 6th Canadian Masonry
Symposium, Civil Engrg. Dept. University Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada, p 97-108, 1992.
[8]. Page, A. W. and Shrive, N. G.: "Concentrated Loads on Hollow Concrete Masonry", ACI
Structural Jnl., Vol. 87, No. 4, p. 436-444, 1990.
[9]. Guo, P.: "Investigation and Modelling of the Mechanical Properties of Masonry", Ph. D.
Thesis, McMaster University, 1991.
[10]. Cook, R. D., Malkus, D. S., and Plesha, M. E. "Concepts and Applications of Finite
Element Analysis". John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2002.
[11]. Krishnamoorthy C. S., "Finite Element Analysis, Theory and Programming". 2nd
Edition, Tata McGraw Hill Comp. Ltd. New Delhi, 2001.