Assessment of Masonry Structures Based on Analytical Damage Indices

Abstract

In this paper, a methodology is presented aiming to predict the vulnerability of masonry structures under seismic action. Masonry structures, among which many are cultural heritage assets, present high vulnerability under earthquake. Reliable simulations of their response under seismic stresses are exceedingly difficult because of the complexity of the structural system and the anisotropic and brittle behavior of the masonry materials. Within this framework, a detailed analytical methodological approach for assessing the seismic vulnerability of historical and monumental masonry structures is presented, taking into account the probabilistic nature of the input parameters by means of analytically determining fragility curves. The emerged methodology is presented in detail following an in depth application on both theoretical basis and existing cultural heritage masonry structures.