porated in LS-DYNA software was used to model shaking-

table experiments on a brick-masonry and stone-masonry speci-

men (AlShawa et al., 2017).

Considering that 2D analysis has limitation in the modelling

of real dry-stone masonry structures, mainly due to the pro-

nounced out-of-plane wall behaviour, but also spatial configura-

tion of historical monument consisting of columns and beams,

the finite-discrete element model previously developed for 2D ma-

sonry structures (Smoljanovi´c et al., 2013a) was extended and en-

hanced to a 3D problem. The developed numerical algorithms were

implemented in open source Y3D-FDEM package (Munjiza, 2004).

This paper primarily presents the main features of 3D FDEM

for the analysis of dry-stone masonry structures. An existing nu-

merical algorithm for contact forces (Munjiza, 2004) was improved

in order to capture tangential forces due to friction between the

blocks in 3D dry-stone structures. Subsequently, the capabilities of

the presented approach are demonstrated in a series of numeri-

cal tests, starting with sliding and rocking of single blocks, shear

and torsion behaviour of dry joints, walls subjected to in-plane and

out-of-plane load, and finally simulation of a simple example of

the spatial stone masonry structure. The influence of the numer-

ical parameters, such as penalty terms and damping coefficient,

on the accuracy of the solution obtained with the finite-discrete

element method, was analysed through various examples. Recom-

mended values of these parameters could be valuable to other re-

searchers and engineers dealing with the finite-discrete modelling

of the behaviour of dry-stone masonry structures.

2. Introduction to FDEM

2.1. Discretisation of structure and required data

Within the combined finite-discrete element method, the 3D

structure is discretised by constant strain tetrahedron finite ele-

ments which enable deformability of the structure. The material

non-linearity including fracture and fragmentation of discrete ele-

ments is considered through contact elements, which are imple-

mented within the finite element mesh. Contact interaction be-

tween the fragmented parts of the structure is considered through

the contact interaction algorithm based on the principle of poten-

tial contact forces.

The main processes included in the FDEM method are contact

detection, contact interaction, finite strain elasticity, as well as frac-

ture and fragmentation.

Discretisation of dry-stone structure in the framework of FDEM

method is shown in Fig. 1. These structures include two differ-

ent contacts. The first one refers to dry joints between the blocks,

where the main mechanism is the contact interaction resulting

Fig. 2. Initial and current configuration of constant strain tetrahedron

finite ele-
ment.

with distributed potential normal contact forces and friction forces.

The second is the contact between the finite elements of stone

blocks, which enables cracking of the block and its fragmentation.

The analysis of dry stone masonry structures by FDEM requires

the knowledge of a number of material properties. These proper-

ties include elastic parameters: Young‘s modulus E, Poisson‘s ratio

ν , bulk density ρ and friction coefficient μ. Furthermore, with the

introduction of contact elements, which enables the simulation of

fracturing, the ultimate tensile ft and shear f