Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of the Mechanical Behavior of Masonry Units and Piles with Artisanal and Industrial Bricks Using FEM

Villanueva Bazán H.J.; Cárdenas Marín G.J.; Díaz Cerna D.M. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.18687/leird2025.1.1.1085

Resumen

This study analyzes the mechanical behavior of masonry units and piles made with artisanal and industrial bricks through experimental tests and numerical simulations using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Axial compression tests were performed in the laboratory to determine the strength, deformation, and modulus of elasticity of each material. The experimental results showed significantly higher strength in industrial bricks, reaching up to 152.45 kg/cm2 in units and 94.00 kg/cm2 in piles, compared to 97.65 kg/cm2 and 24.99 kg/cm2 for artisanal bricks, respectively. Numerical models were subsequently calibrated in ABAQUS FEA, achieving a correlation of less than 3.75% with respect to physical tests. Common errors in experimentation, such as inadequate load application or omission of initial deformations, were also evaluated. The results highlight the importance of characterizing materials locally and adjusting constitutive models according to the region. Finally, it is proposed that FEM simulation, which also evaluates shear strength and calibrates a numerical model in ABAQUS with a margin of error of less than 3.75%, reinforcing the validity of the results, can be an effective tool for the structural design of masonry systems, especially in areas such as Cajamarca, where the use of artisanal brick is common. © LEIRD 2025.All rights reserved.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada del Norte