The dynamic out-of-plane behaviour of unreinforced masonry walls

Abstract

This paper presents the seismic assessments of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls subject to out-of-plane two-way bending using examples of eight URM wall specimens which have been subject to quasistatic loading tests. The seismic assessments of the tested walls have been undertaken using simple techniques based on force, velocity and displacement procedures. More rigorous seismic evaluations involving time-history simulations have been undertaken for critical cases requiring further investigation. The hysteretic models used in the time-history analyseswere representative of the hysteretic behaviour of theURMwalls observed in the cyclictests. These models feature strength degradation behaviour and self-centering behaviour on unloadingwhich have been found to vary significantly amongst thewall specimens. Sensitivity studies have been undertaken to quantify the relative significance of the hysteretic model parameters in terms of the out-of-plane displacement demand of the walls when subject to excitations of different forms. © 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, London.