Modelling of joint effect in refractory structures

Some refractory linings of metallurgical vessels consist of masonry. To model these large-sized structures, it is convenient to use an equivalent material instead of a model that involves all bricks and joints. The properties of the equivalent material depend on geometrical and mechanical properties of the bricks, the joint states and the temperature. In this paper, several joint states which are the combinations of open/closed states of bed and head joints are considered. The equivalent material properties are determined thanks to periodic homogenization techniques. Results obtained with this approach are used to model different masonries walls, with or without mortar, subjected to bi-axial compression and bending. Finally, an application to a coke oven heatingwall is presented.