Shell elements for sequentially linear analysis: Lateral failure of masonry structures

Shell elements are incorporated into the sequentially linear analysis method allowing the modeling of three-dimensional structures under non-proportional loading. The shell element implementation is first presented and then applied to simulate two previous experimental tests on full-scale unreinforced masonry structures under cyclic loading. Experimental cyclic envelopes and three-dimensional failure mechanisms are effectively predicted, providing further evidence to support sequentially linear analysis as an alternative to non-linear analysis in the finite element framework.