SEISMIC BEHAVIOUR OF UNREINFORCED MASONRY WALLS.

Abstract

The behavior of unreinforced masonry walls under seismic loading is considered, with particular emphasis being given to face-load response. It is shown that traditional methods of assessing seismic performance based on elastic stress calculations result in excessively conservative results when compared with more realistic methods of assessment. In particular, an assessment procedure based on energy considerations is developed at some length, and is illustrated by a worked sample.