Second order effects in out-of-plane strength of unreinforced masonry walls subjected to bending and compression

Abstract

The recent development of a new Italian seismic code has been an occasion to reconsider the current criteria for seismic design of masonry buildings and their consequences in practice. In this regard, the present research presents and discusses several issues regarding the out-of-plane response of face-loaded unreinforced masonry walls. While the work has been oriented towards the typical structural typologies currently being constructed in Italy, the principles are generic and suitable for other typologies, including those found in Australia and New Zealand, and are considered to be especially relevant for assessing the seismic capacity of walls in existing buildings.