Limit analysis of masonry structures with free discontinuities

We formulate a novel procedure for the limit analysis of two-dimensional masonry structures subject to arbitrary loading conditions. The proposed approach works in the framework of free discontinuity methods, on examining collapse mechanisms that exhibit free crack opening discontinuities. The load bearing capacity and the collapse mechanism of the structure are obtained through a fully variational approach, by minimizing a kinetic functional that admits the collapse crack pattern as a variable. Numerical examples illustrate the practical application of the proposed procedure to the limit analysis of a variety of masonry walls and arches subject to foundation settlements, vertical and horizontal forces.