Article: Comparison of simplified coupled and uncoupled 3D finite element models for soil-structure interactions in masonry structures with strip foundations undergoing subsidence Journal: International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation (IJMRI) 2025 Vol.10 No.7 pp.1 - 41 Abstract: This study compares two 3D nonlinear FE models, 'simplified coupled' and 'uncoupled', to explore 'light' damage in a two-storey masonry building on strip foundations affected by subsidence. Both models employ nonlinear interfaces to simulate soil-structure interaction: the simplified coupled model ties the structure with the soil volume with 'contact interfaces', while the uncoupled model uses 'boundary interfaces' to represent the interaction. The impact of soil volume and settlement shape size is examined. Results indicate consistent damage, displacements, and stresses across both modelling approaches with the smallest soil volume. Differences increase with larger soil volumes: at a distortion of 1/1,000 in hogging, the coupled model shows the damage decreases by 54% when the soil volume is quadrupled. Mesh size is also observed to affect crack initiation but not the overall damage mechanism. In general, coupled models reduce non-convergence and computation time, whereas uncoupled models simplify the analyses by decoupling the problem. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Comparison of simplified coupled and uncoupled 3D finite element models for soil-structure interactions in masonry structures with strip foundations undergoing subsidence

Authors: Alfonso Prosperi; Michele Longo; Paul A. Korswagen; Mandy Korff; Jan G. Rots

Addresses: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, The Netherlands ' Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, The Netherlands ' Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, The Netherlands ' Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, The Netherlands; Deltares, P.O. Box, 177, 2600 MH Delft, The Netherlands ' Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, The Netherlands

Abstract: This study compares two 3D nonlinear FE models, 'simplified coupled' and 'uncoupled', to explore 'light' damage in a two-storey masonry building on strip foundations affected by subsidence. Both models employ nonlinear interfaces to simulate soil-structure interaction: the simplified coupled model ties the structure with the soil volume with 'contact interfaces', while the uncoupled model uses 'boundary interfaces' to represent the interaction. The impact of soil volume and settlement shape size is examined. Results indicate consistent damage, displacements, and stresses across both modelling approaches with the smallest soil volume. Differences increase with larger soil volumes: at a distortion of 1/1,000 in hogging, the coupled model shows the damage decreases by 54% when the soil volume is quadrupled. Mesh size is also observed to affect crack initiation but not the overall damage mechanism. In general, coupled models reduce non-convergence and computation time, whereas uncoupled models simplify the analyses by decoupling the problem.

Keywords: masonry; damage; settlements; numerical models; soil-structure interaction; 3D FE analyses; subsidence; soil-foundation interfaces; strip foundations; cracking.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2025.146106

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2025 Vol.10 No.7, pp.1 - 41

Received: 15 Oct 2024
Accepted: 12 Feb 2025
Published online: 06 May 2025 *

Title: Comparison of simplified coupled and uncoupled 3D finite element models for soil-structure interactions in masonry structures with strip foundations undergoing subsidence

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