The discrete element modelling allows the study of the mechanical behaviour of a collection of solids, submitted to dynamic excitations. The proposed definition of a stress tensor concerns a cell constituted of its kernel, and its neighbouring solids. We demonstrate that taking into account the inertial effects allows the symmetry of the stress tensor. The relative weight of the centrifugal effects remaining in the final expression of the stress tensor is evaluated in order to determine whether or not it has to be taken into account, depending on the application. The proposed definition allows the definition of the load level on different parts of the discontinuous structure. Applications to real masonry cases are presented.