Abstract
In this study, we propose a method to consider deformability of elements for a failure analysis of masonry structures using the DEM. In the original DEM, the deformability of the structure can be modeled by overlapping between rigid elements, but Poisson's effect cannot be modeled. In the proposed method, an element is divided into two parts, an inner part to consider deformation of the element itself, and an outer part to deal with contact between elements. The stiffness of the inner part is modeled using the stiffness matrix of the finite element method. When two elements are continuous or in contact, springs are set between the elements and the spring constants are estimated based on the original DEM and the length of the outer part. The validity of the method is confirmed through the comparison of elastic deformation with the FEM. It is found that the original DEM and the proposed method show different failure patterns, and considering the deformability of element is found to be necessary.
