Discrete Macro Element Modelling of URM Veneer Walls Subjected to Out-of-plane Loads

Unreinforced masonry veneer walls, comprising a single-leaf masonry panel connected to a flexible structural backing system by steel ties or anchorages, are commonly used in residential construction across Australia, Europe, and North America, including seismic regions. However, they are highly vulnerable to out-of-plane loads from seismic or wind actions, necessitating a nuanced understanding of the complex interaction between the masonry panel and the backing system. Recent experimental and numerical efforts have sought to characterise the failure mechanisms and peak-lateral loads of veneer walls using detailed and spatial finite element method (FEM) models. In this study, a simplified approach to predict the non-linear response of veneer walls is implemented into the Discrete Macro-Element Method (DMEM) framework with the aim of providing a robust and practical tool for the assessment and design of this structural typology. Non-linear static analyses are conducted with uniform out-of-plane lateral loading, simulating wind or earthquake actions in both inward and outward directions. The results are validated against experimental findings and advanced FEM predictions available from the literature. The comparisons demonstrate that the proposed model can predict the ultimate lateral strength of veneer walls and the corresponding failure mechanism with a good level of approximation, evidencing the applicability of this simplified modelling strategy for the structural analysis of veneer masonry buildings.