Limit analysis of dry masonry block assemblages with non-associative frictional joints

The limit analysis of dry-masonry block assemblages with non-associative frictional joints is formulated as a Mixed Complementarity Problem. To overcome the computational issues due to the non-convexity of the complementarity constraints, a fixed-point based algorithm is presented for constructing a solution of the problem. Specifically, each fixed-point iteration consists in the solution of a straightforward associative limit analysis problem, whereas a fixed point is sought for with respect to the normal forces at the frictional joints. The comparison with benchmark problems proves that the resulting procedure is able to predict the collapse multiplier of dry-masonry block assemblages with accuracy, robustness and effectiveness.