Appraising 2D Discrete Macro Element Model of Masonry Infill Wall Using ABAQUS CAE Software

In this study, a 2D discrete macro element model (DMEM) of masonry infill wall to assess its in-plane behavior, with some simplification in the modeling approach, through the ABAQUS CAE finite element commercial software is proposed. The proposed method is validated by experimental results and compared with the numerical model, according to which the advantages and disadvantages are considered. The result shows that DMEM through a FE program can be applied for evaluating of in-plane behavior of the masonry infill wall with acceptable accuracy. According to the outcomes, the DMEM method has an appropriate accuracy to obtain the behavioral content of the studied specimens. The method could be considered as a replacement to FEA in complicated systems because of its simplicity in the calculating process.