Nonlinear parameter identification of models for masonry

This paper investigates the parameter estimation problem for brick masonry models. An identification procedure is proposed in which the uncertainties of known parameters and/or errors of measurements are its elements of distinction. The minimization process of the discrepancies between experimental data and theoretical measurements takes place by means of a first order iterative method. The identification procedure is applied to two different problems: the calibration of an interface model for brick–mortar joint in its functional form through monotonic experimental tests; to evaluate the unknown parameters of a continuum model for brick masonry walls in its non-holonomic form by means of in-plane cyclic shear–compression test of masonry panels. The general framework of the non-linear estimate methodology, the parameter identification problems and the numerical results are presented.