Analysis of Masonry Structures Without Box Behavior

TLDR

Seismic assessment of historic masonry is challenging because of low tensile strength, lack of box behavior, and the inapplicability of conventional reinforced‑concrete methods. The article reviews seismic analysis techniques for masonry structures lacking box behavior. The review compares pushover methods with non‑linear dynamic time‑integration analysis for masonry structures. Case studies of San Torcato, Qutb Minar, and Gaioleiro buildings reveal that pushover analyses disagree with non‑linear dynamic analysis and experimental data.

Abstract

Assessment of the seismic performance of structures is still a challenge. Historic masonry structures exhibit peculiar properties (low tensile strength and lack of box behavior) that make the task of the analyst even more difficult. It seems that traditional design and assessment methods, similar to the ones currently used for reinforced concrete structures, are not applicable. This article provides a review of the seismic analysis of masonry structures without box behavior. Different methods of structural analysis are discussed and a comparison is made between pushover methods and non-linear dynamic analysis with time integration. Three cases studies (San Torcato church, Qutb Minar and "Gaioleiro" buildings) were used and the results show that traditional, adaptive or modal pushover analyses are not totally in agreement with non-linear dynamic analysis or experimental observations.