Analysis of masonry structures: review of and recent trends in homogenisation techniques

The mechanics of masonry structures have been for long underdeveloped in comparison with other fields of knowledge. Presently, non-linear analysis is a popular field in masonry research and homogenisation techniques play a major role, despite the mathematical and conceptual difficulties inherent to the approach. This paper addresses different homogenisation techniques available in the literature, aiming at defining a first catalogue and at discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches. Finally, special attention is given to a micro-mechanical based model and a model based on a polynomial expansion of the micro-stress field. These seem promising and accurate strategies for advanced structural analysis