convergence problem with out of plane load

[giom]

Hello everyone!

I modelled a speciment of infill masonry wall in STKO. A horizontal load is applied on the speciment, acting out of the plane. In particular, mentioned load is a distributed load on steel plates of 200x200mm that push the masonry.

To simulate this, I created some "face" to which I assigned appropriate physical and element properties ("PlateFiber" and "ASDShellQ4"). I created a "node to node" interaction (master=plates, slave=masonry) to which I assigned the "zeroLenghtContactASDImplex". I applied the load and I started the analysis.

The problem is that I have convergence problems already in vertical analysis, while I had no problem before creating the plates. So horizontal analysis never starts.

What should I do to solve the problem? Is there another way to simulate the real load to solve the problem?

Attached .sdc file and screeshot of analysis text.

Thank you for your help!

Giovanni

[STKO Team]

In this way your model is singular.

First you have to also fix the rotation about the X axis at the bottom, otherwise your wall will have a hinge at the bottom.

Then you have another singularity in the loading plates. In reality, they are detached from the wall (only in contact when you push) but they are restrained against in-plane displacements.

It's easier if you model them just as face force on their tributary area on the wall.
If you really want to model the steel plates, you can do it, but you have to add fix them in X and Z, only free to move in Y

[giom]

Thank you very much for you work! Now the problem was solved!

[STKO Team]

You're welcome