This interface material model,
also know as the `Composite Interface model',
is appropriate to simulate fracture,
frictional slip
as well as crushing along material interfaces,
for instance at joints in masonry.
Usually the brick units are modeled as linear elastic, or viscoelastic continua,
while the mortar joints are modeled with interface elements,
which obey the nonlinear behavior described by this combined
cracking-shearing-crushing model [Fig.21.15b]
(see Lourenço & Rots [63],
and Van Zijl [106]).
Figure 21.15:
Modeling strategies for masonry
(a) discrete
(b) simplified discrete
In some cases it is justified to model also the mortar with continuum elements,
and the interface elements and material behavior are employed
to capture the physical interface between bricks and
mortar [Fig.21.15a].
For general aspects of interface modeling in masonry,
including parameter determination and practical examples
see Rots [88,89].
