AGRIETAMIENTO POR HUNDIMIENTO EN MUROS DE MAMPOSTERÍA

Abstract

One of the most common problems in social housing in Mexico City is cracking in the masonry walls caused by differential settlements of soil. Settlements may decrease the structural elements, cracking and failure of the serviceability limit state threatening its functionality. This can cause further economic losses valued up to hundreds of millions of pesos [http://www.nextfor.com]. Therefore, there is a need to study the relationship between settlements and cracking in the masonry walls to prevent damage and economic and human losses. The aim of this study was to determine the location of the initial cracking in confined masonry walls, used in houses. For this a numerical model was defined using a commercial finite element program and calibrated with numerical and experimental data (from literature). Two types of geometry and four load conditions, were considered. With the calibrated model new geometries were studied with different height-length relationships and different typical geometries for residential houses in Mexico City, with typical settlements conditions. Additionally, typical cracking patterns under settlements were corroborated. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the numerical model for masonry walls under differential settlements