SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF INTERLOCKING BLOCKS OF WALL · 1 Abstract— In this project, an attempt is made to analyse the structure when the infill wall is modelled using interlocking blocks

1

Abstract— In this project, an attempt is made to analyse the structure when the infill wall is modelled using interlocking blocks. In this

study building frame, wall, foundation, soil is modelled using ANSYS CIVIL FEM software. In analysing the building different conditions

considered are (a) Single storey with single bay frame without considering the interlocking infill on well graded soil with earthquake load

along x direction; (b) Single bay frame with interlocking infill walls built along x direction; (c) Single bay frame with brick infill walls

built along x direction; (d) Single storey with single bay frame without considering the interlocking infill with earthquake load along z

direction;(e) Single storey single bay frame with interlocking infill walls built along z direction; (f) ) Single storey single bay frame with

brick infill walls built along z direction on gravel well graded soil. The static nonlinear analysis is used to analyse the model. The

displacement and stress results obtained along different co -ordinates are studied and compared. Comparison of results obtained is done

between interlocking infill wall, brick infill walls and single storey single bay frame without any infill.

.

Index Terms— interlocking blocks,

I. INTRODUCTION

In most of the developing countries with the increase in population the housing facility is inadequate. Due to high rate of

urbanization the cost of land and materials of construction are increasing rapidly. Hence the poor class of society cannot afford for

proper housing. The new structural component desired to be developed in masonry buildings construction is new interlocking

mortar concrete masonry blocks. Based on previous studies it was found that because of the use of interlocking blocks the cost and

time required for construction gets reduced. Mortar less load bearing wall built using interlocking block is dissimilar from usual

mortared brickwork systems in which there is no mortar layer and instead of that each block are connected to each other by groves

and protrusion. Interlocking blocks produced from compressed stabilized soil will have good fire resistant and insulation properties

[1]. When the climate condition is dry, wall constructed using stabilized soil gave good compressive strength. Expansion of

interlocking earth block is one of the best technologies for the production of low cost building material. In load bearing system of

the building wall will also act considerably in resisting the lateral loads acting on building. Hence walling material is very essential

in construction. It was found that it constitute about 22% total cost of the building. Hence it is necessary to find the material which

is cost effective. Interlocking stabilized earth blocks have satisfactorily reduced the cost of construction by reducing the mortar

joints. If the interlocking blocks are well stabilized they will serve the aesthetic property also. Different types of interlocking blocks

are being developed worldwide. The aim of this project is to check how effectively a wall built using interlocking block will resist

the lateral loading like earthquake load. Interlocking blocks are developed with various shapes, dimension and also with various

interlocking mechanism.

Objectives of project:

1. To study the problems occurs with the normal brick walls during the earth quake.

2. To design the structure using conventional brick walls and interlocking blocks.

3. To calculate analytically the boundary loading conditions on frequency of earthquake to apply on the model.

4. To analyse the model using FEM analysis (ansys)

5. To compare the two structure results.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF INTERLOCKING

BLOCKS OF WALL

S. S. Deshmukh1, Prof. G. H. Kumbhar2, Prof. M. N. Shirsath3.

M. E. structural engineering, G. H. raisoni college of Engg.& management, Ahmednagar,

JASC: Journal of Applied Science and Computations

Volume VI, Issue VI, JUNE/2019

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Yutaka Fukumoto et al., 2014, The shape effect of the blocks comprising a dry-stone masonry retaining wall under seismic

loading was investigated through centrifuge model tests and numerical simulations using the three-dimensional discrete element

method. Variations in block shape, namely, cubic-shaped and wedge-shaped, were compared. For both the physical

experiments and then numerical simulations, seismic resistivity was higher in the wall of wedge-shaped blocks than in the wall

of cuboid blocks, although the total mass was larger for the wall of cuboid blocks. Therefore, a detailed investigation was per

formed by the discrete element model to explore the mechanism of the shape effect. We found that the surface area, which

contributes to the frictional resistance between each stone block and the back fill, is the key parameter to mobilizing the anti-

seismic strength of a dry-stone masonry retaining wall.

Hussein Okail et al., 2012, this paper investigate the behaviour of confined masonry walls subjected to lateral loads. Six full-

scale wall assembles, consisting of a clay masonry panel, two confining columns and a tie beam, were tested under a

combination of vertical load and monotonic pushover up to failure. Wall panels had various configurations, namely, solid and

perforated walls with window and door openings, variable longitudinal and transverse reinforcement ratios for the confining

elements and different brick types, namely, cored clay and solid concrete masonry units. Key experimental results showed that

the walls in general experienced a shear failure at the end of the lightly reinforced confining elements after the failure of the

diagonal struts formed in the brick wall due to transversal diagonal tension. Stepped bed joint cracks formed in the masonry

panel either diagonally or around the perforations.

Dhaval H. Joravia et al., 2015, Here the particular meaning of alternative type of bricks means the non-conventional type of

bricks with new idea of using waste polymer materials. This bricks can be become translucent, insulating, light, strong and

mechanically recyclable building material. The polymers materials are used for make alternative types of bricks are PET,

HDPV, LDPE, PP, PVC, PC, PS, and ABS. these are widely available as waste material

Worldwide, the analysis of this bricks and brick modules analysed by SAP2000 and ANSYS workbench software.

Farzad Hejazi et al., 2015, various types of interlocking mortar less (dry-stacked) block masonry systems have been developed

worldwide. However, the characteristics of dry joints under compressive load, and their effect on the overall behaviour of the

interlocking mortar less system, are still not well understood. This paper presents an investigation into the dry-joint contact

behaviour of masonry and the behaviour of interlocking mortar less hollow blocks wall construction subjected to seismic

excitation. In the system developed, the blocks are stacked on one another and three-dimensional interlocking protrusions are

provided in the blocks to integrate the blocks into walls. The response of the mortar less hollow block wall with respect to

acceleration displacement and stress has been discussed.

Chukwudi Onyeakpa et al., 2014, Production of blocks used for wall construction have different techniques adopted which

could be in form of hollow or solid blocks produced in varying shapes laid with mortar. An improved form of mortar-less

blocks which is an innovative structural component for masonry building construction called interlocking block which can be

produced mechanically or manually using interlocking block production machine, particularly an improved interlocking block

machine with dual mould. This brings about economical production, reduced cost of labour and appreciation of available local

materials for construction of structures for both rural and urban development in the world today, thereby eliminating the use of

mortar in lying of blocks.

I. Jaswanth Reddy et al., 2017, Masonry walls constructed using Interlocking Blocks, where no mortar is used for bonding of

Blocks. The interface bonding of Interlocking blocks under lateral loads was studied in this paper, by modelling a 4’ × 4’

masonry wall. This masonry wall was analysed by assigning in-plane lateral load with varying magnitudes and compared the

results with a conventional brick masonry wall. The individual dimension of each block of both types is given detailed in

modelling. These models are analysed in Ansys 15.0 workbench module. Total Deformation, Equivalent stress (von- Mises),

Equivalent elastic strain (von – Mises) and strain Energy was observed for both conventional brick masonry wall and

Interlocking block masonry wall and hence Stress-Strain graphs and Load - Deformation graphs had been plotted. As a result,

percentage variations had observed in terms of deformation at a specific load when compared with a conventional brick

masonry wall.

Mubeena Salam et al., 2018, Generally RC framed structures are designed without regards to structural action of masonry infill

walls present. Masonry infill walls are widely used as partitions. These buildings are generally designed as framed structures

without regard to structural action of masonry infill walls. They are considered as non- structural elements. RC frame building

with open first storey is known as soft storey, which performs poorly during strong earthquake shaking. Past earthquakes are

evident that collapses due to soft storeys are most often in RC buildings. In the soft storey, columns are severely stressed and

unable to provide adequate shear resistance during the earthquake.



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M. S. Jaafar et al., 2010, A structural component need to be developed in masonry buildings construction is new interlocking

mortar less concrete masonry blocks and a worldwide interest in the development of masonry of this type has taken place in

recent years. In this study an attempt has been made to analyse a special interlocking mortar less hollow concrete block system

which was developed by Housing Research Centre of University Putra Malaysia. The system was subjected to earthquake loads

using finite element method. This analysis is conducted by considering the hollow block wall, foundation and soil interaction.

For this purpose, a finite element code was developed to analyse the masonry system under earthquake excitation. In order to

account for the dry joint contact between the blocks and foundation and soil mass, an interface element was used. The response

of the mortar less block wall with respect to displacement, stress and acceleration subjected to earthquake have been discussed

and effect of applying dry interlocking joints for connection of the block on seismic response of the system is investigated.

Sergio Lagomarsino et al., 2016, The seismic analysis of masonry buildings requires reliable nonlinear models as effective tools

for both design of new buildings and assessment and retrofitting of existing ones. Performance based assessment is now mainly

oriented to the use of nonlinear analysis methods, thus their capability to simulate the nonlinear response is crucial, in particular

in case of masonry buildings. Among the different modelling strategies proposed in literature, the equivalent frame approach

seems particularly attractive since it allows the analysis of complete 3D buildings with a reasonable computational effort,

suitable also for practice engineering aims. Moreover, it is also expressly recommended in several national and international

codes. Within this context, the paper presents the solutions adopted for the implementation of the equivalent frame model in the

TREMURI program for the nonlinear seismic analysis of masonry buildings.

M. Ali, R. Briet et al., 2013, a new concept of construction, i.e. structures consisting of interlocking blocks with movability at

the interface, is considered to enable an efficient and cost-effective solution. To enhance the ductility and material damping, the

interlocking blocks are made with coconut fibre reinforced concrete (CFRC). As a pilot investigation, a mortar-free column

made of CFRC interlocking blocks was tested under harmonic and earthquake loadings to understand the structural seismic

behaviour. A mass of 150 kg is placed at the top of the columns to simulate the mass of diaphragm. The top relative

displacement, base shear, overturning moment and block uplift are investigated. The results confirm that the construction

technology proposed has the potential for earthquake prone regions, especially for developing countries. Since this work is the

first step towards exploring the behaviour of the technology, further directions are also highlighted. It is anticipated that the

mortar-free construction can reduce the impact of earthquake to a greater extent due to the relative movement of the

interlocking blocks.

B.J. Stirling et al., 2012, Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEBs) are a form of dry stack masonry units, which can be

manufactured by inexperienced labourers using predominantly low cost materials. This paper presents results from a testing

program investigating flexure-dominated ICEB walls. Four 1.8-m high ICEB walls were constructed and tested under in-plane

cyclic loading. The specimens were varied to identify the effects of height to width aspect ratio, presence of a flange at one end

of the wall, and presence of an opening in the wall on performance of the system. Testing results show that flexure-dominated

ICEB walls can exhibit stable hysteretic behaviour until a ductile failure occurs. Furthermore, the strength of the wall can be

enhanced due to the presence of a flange at one end and will be reduced due to the presence of an opening. Ordinary plastic

analysis procedure is shown to provide reasonable predictions for in-plane resistance of flexure-dominated ICEB walls.

Anurag Upadhyay et al., 2011, analysing the behaviour of earth retaining structures under seismic conditions has been very

important issue due to their wide applications in several infrastructural applications and other structures. The problem of

instability of walls is mainly related to earth pressure distribution on the wall and the response of wall against the earth

pressure, especially, under dynamic loading condition. Soil – wall interaction is an important property which governs the

dynamic behaviour of the wall. Even after a large number of studies, the dynamic behaviour of soil-wall system is still not

completely elucidated. The current study will be helpful in improvising the design of retaining walls allowing them to perform

well. The objective of this paper is to study the dynamic behaviour of a retaining wall along with the earth pressure distribution

of soil in seismic conditions. Among various types of retaining structures, cantilever retaining wall was adopted for the present

study. Numerical model was developed using finite element method based package to simulate the dynamic behaviour of the

cantilever retaining wall. The developed numerical model was verified for validation with the available physical model studies

in the literature. The validated numerical model was then subjected to seismic records with different predominant frequency.

The methodology followed in developing the numerical model and results obtained from the parametric studies are discussed in

this paper.



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Yijiang Ma, et al., 2017, Based on the transfer matrix method, an analytical method is proposed to conduct the modal analysis of

the simply supported steel Beam with multiple transverse open cracks under different temperatures. The open cracks are

replaced with torsion springs without mass, and local flexibility caused by each crack can be derived; the temperature module is

introduced by the mechanical properties variation of the structural material, and the temperature load is caused by the

temperature variation, which can be transformed to the axial force on the cross-section. The transfer matrix of the whole beam

with the temperature and geometric parameters of cracks can be obtained. According to boundary conditions of the simply

supported beam, natural frequencies of the beam can be calculated, which are compared with the finite element results. Results

indicate that the analytical method proposed has a high accuracy; the natural frequencies of the simply supported steel beam are

mostly affected by the temperature load, which cannot be ignored.

3. PROBLEM STATEMENT

Day by day as the population increases in the country like India, the building heights get increases and natural disasters like

earthquake can damage to the buildings to the huge extent. The bricks structure in the building or tower construction has a less

sustainability during the earthquake conditions; it results to the serious human and economic loss. It is important to improve the

constructability in civil engineering without increases the cost of construction. This project deals with the seismic analysis of

interlocking blocks to minimize the damages to the constructions.

4. METHODOLOGY OF THE PROJECT

In the present project study, ANSYS Civil FEM Software is used for Seismic Analysis of structure. Interlocking block is

modelled using CREO design software. Dimension of building is will be selected by the literature study and analysed in the ANSYS

software. The design parameters are building height, area, each floor height, thickness of slab, Soil layer depth is also considered in

this study. Material used for analysis is Fe 415 steel and M25 grade of concrete.

After defining all the parameters of analysis, apply self-weight and also live load to the structure. Then nonlinear static analysis is

conducted. After static analysis define all the parameters as mentioned in table 2 and seismic analysis is done.

In this study, six different models are created as mentioned below:

1. Model 1: Here only frame model is considered for study and load is applied on all beams.

The brick load calculated is applied on plinth beam. Earthquake load is applied in x direction.

2. Model 2: In this case wall using interlocking block is modelled only along longer length of building and earthquake load is

applied along x direction.

3. Model 3: In this wall is modelled using brick along x direction and earthquake load is applied along x direction.

4. Model 4: Here only frame model is considered for study and load is applied on all beams. Earthquake load is applied in z

direction.



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3.1 FLOWCHART

3.2 Design data collection

The data required for the project is collected from the internet mostly for this project, the required data is

Frequency of the earthquake,

Start and stop time of earthquake,

load on building considered

base of building

interlocking block structure

Some of the above data collected from the research paper given in literature review above and other data has to be calculated by

considering height of building. The types of interlocking blocks studied on the internet and research paper will select the modified

design and will make a design structure in the CREO software.

3.3 Modelling of project

In this chapter, the general description of how the finite element model is built is noted, and the calibration of the generated Finite



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Element Analysis (FEA) model is introduced. Finite element analysis proposes substantial benefits in accurateness over alternative

methods of analysis such as grillage analysis or analytical methods in many specific types of structures. (O'Brien 1999, p. 185) For

instance, FEA enables membrane forces to be modelled accurately in structures such as arch, box girder, folded plate or shell

structures. In addition, FEA modelling allows greater analytical flexibility enabling the model to be manipulated by material

characteristics, which can allow further study.

structure with Normal bricks

Isometric view



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Dimensions

Parts of bridge

Normal brick



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Interlocking brick structure

3.4 Modelling Method

Measuring displacement from the live load test can be utilized in understanding the structure displacement behaviour. In addition,

it can also become a good developmental tool of the accurate finite element model of the normal brick/ conventional brick structure.

In performing a comparison of in-field measured data and calculated data by a finite element analysis program, it is essential that

the created finite element model represents the identical displacement response as the actual behaviour.

ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURE

1. Conventional bricks

2. Interlocking bricks

1. Conventional Bricks

Modeling Of Bridge



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Meshing

Analysis at 7 Hz

Deflection In X Direction:

Deflection In Y Direction

Deflection In Z Direction



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Stress (at 7 hz):

In x – direction

In y – direction

In z – direction



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Analysis at 9 Hz






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Stress (at 9 hz):

In x – direction

In y – direction

In z – direction



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Analysis at 11 Hz






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Stress (at 11 hz):

In x – direction

In y – direction

In z – direction



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ANSYS ANALYSIS WITH INTERLOCKING BRICKS

Modelling:

Meshing:

Analysis at 7 Hz




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Stress (at 7 hz):

In x – direction

In y – direction



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In z – direction

Analysis at 9 Hz






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Stress (at 9 hz):

In x – direction

In y – direction

In z – direction

Analysis at 11 Hz




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Stress (at 11 hz):

In x – direction

In y – direction



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In z – direction

RESULT

Structure with Normal Bricks

Displacement & stress

Sr.

no.

x direction

values (mm)

y direction

displacement

values (mm)

z direction

displacement

values (mm)

displac

ement

stress displa

cemen

t

stress displa

cemen

t

stress

1) 0.000130 0.0392

8

0.00909 0.0087 0.00163 0.0665

2) 0.000284 0.0802

9

0.0229 0.015 0.00143 0.185

3) 0.000799 0.150 0.02779 0.0704 0.00150 0.2657

Structure with Interlocking Bricks

Sr.

no.

x direction

values (mm)

y direction

displacement

values (mm)

z direction

displacement

values (mm)

displac

ement

stress displa

cemen

t

stress displa

cemen

t

stress

4) 5.323e-

6

0.002

03

0.0003

583

0.000

3587

0.0001

527

0.0025

74

5) 1.147e-

5

0.003

6

0.0009

11

0.000

658

0.0001

21

0.0073

6) 3.169e-

5

0.006

927

0.0011

0

0.004

342

0.0001

191

0.0108

5



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Graphical analysis of results

Normal brick structure (displacement)

Normal brick structure (stress)

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

7 Hz 9 Hz 11 Hz

stress in x-dir

stress in y-dir

stress in z-dir

interlocking brick structure (displacement)

0.00E+00

2.00E-04

4.00E-04

6.00E-04

8.00E-04

1.00E-03

1.20E-03

7 Hz 9 Hz 11 Hz

displacementin x-dir

displacementin y-dir

displacementin z-dire

interlocking brick structure (stress)



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CONCLUSION

The seismic analysis of single storey single bay frame with infill wall built using interlocking block and brick are conducted and

compared. In order to obtain more realistic value for stress and displacement results, we have conducted 3D analysis of structure.

When compared the displacement result of the frame with interlocking block wall, brick wall and frame without any infill wall (bare

frame) it has been observed

REFERENCES

1. Yutaka Fukumoto, The effects of block shape on the seismic behaviour of dry-stone masonry retaining walls: A numerical

investigation by discrete element modelling, Soils andFoundations2014; 54(6):1117–1126.

2. Hussein Okail, Experimental and analytical investigation of the lateral load response of confined masonry walls, HBRC Journal

(2016) 12, 33–46.

3. Dhaval H. Joravia, Study on Performance of Infill Wall Masonry RCC Frame Using Alternative Types of Bricks, IJETST-

Vol.||02||Issue||06||Pages 2747-2752||June||ISSN 2348-9480.

4. FarzadHejazi, Seismic analysis of interlocking mortar less hollow block, Challenge Journal Of Structural Mechanics 1 (1) (2015)

22–26.

5. ApurbaMondal, Performance-based evaluation of the response reduction factor for ductile RC frames, Engineering Structures 56

(2013) 1808–1819

6. ChukwudiOnyeakpa, Improvement on the Design and Construction of Interlocking Blocks and its Moulding Machine, e-ISSN:

2278-1684,p-ISSN: 2320-334X, Volume 11, Issue 2 Ver. III (Mar- Apr. 2014), PP 49-66

7. I. Jaswanth Reddy, Lateral Load Behaviour Of Interlocking Block Masonry Wall, Volume 8, Issue 3, March 2017, pp. 831–841

Article ID: IJCIET_08_03_084

8. Mubeena Salam, Seismic Analysis of Interlocking Blocks in Walls, IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research &

Development| Vol. 6, Issue 05, 2018 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613

9. Bhavani Shankar, Seismic Analysis of Interlocking Block as Infill Wall, Volume: 03 Issue: 10 | Oct -20160.

10. Bhavani Shankar, Seismic Analysis of Interlocking Block as Infill Wall, International Research Journal of Engineering and

Technology (IRJET), Volume: 03 Issue: 10 | Oct -2016.

11. M. S. Jaafar, Seismic analysis of interlocking block in wall – foundation – soil system, London, ISBN: 978-0-415-56809-8.

12. B. Qu, Interlocking Compressed Earth Block Walls: In-plane Structural Response of Flexure-dominated Walls.



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SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF INTERLOCKING BLOCKS OF WALL · 1 Abstract— In this project, an attempt is made to analyse the structure when the infill wall is modelled using interlocking blocks