Scale effects in orthotropic composite assemblies as micropolar continua: A comparison between weak-and strong-form finite element solutions
The aim of the present work was to investigate the mechanical behavior of orthotropic
composites, such as masonry assemblies, subjected to localized loads described as micropolar
materials. Micropolar models are known to be effective in modeling the actual behavior of
microstructured solids in the presence of localized loads or geometrical discontinuities. This is
due to the introduction of an additional degree of freedom (the micro-rotation) in the kinematic