Masonry walls as orthotropic no tension structures

In this paper, following the research line proposed by Signorini (1925) and previously by Milankovicth (1910), a semi-analytical approach for the analysis of masonry walls - treated as horizontally multi-layered strata of no-tension material - is proposed in order to evaluate the stress distribution generated by applied loads. The main applications concern walls subjected only to vertical loads, although it is assumed that a constitutive friction relationship is guaranteed along the horizontal joints, in the presence of horizontal actions. The goal is to identify in the masonry wall the actual bearing sub-structures by defining at each vertical and horizontal level the transversal sections generated by the unilateral behaviour. The method proposed will allow identifying the partition of the wall into macro elements, which depend on the centre of applied loads, and wall and bricks geometrical features. The technique adopted to approach the problem can be referred to as the search for the best shape. Two cases are discussed: corbelled masonry wall surrounding windows and arch behaviour of masonry over the window.