SEISMIC DESIGN OF MASONRY BUILDINGS
Keywords:
Seismic performance, dynamic analysis, building safety, force redistribution, earthquake engineering.Abstract
This study examines the seismic design of masonry buildings, focusing on the limitations of traditional linear
analysis methods and the need for more accurate modeling. Linear static and dynamic analyses, commonly used
for design, often overestimate safety checks when ground accelerations exceed 0.05g, as the behavior factor (qfactor)
tends to underrepresent the seismic capacity of masonry structures. To address this, the inclusion of the
Overstrength Ratio (OSR) is proposed. The OSR accounts for additional strength due to force redistribution
after initial failure, providing a more realistic assessment of a building's ultimate capacity. Nonlinear static
analyses, such as pushover analysis, offer better alignment with real-world observations, showing improved
results compared to linear methods. By integrating the OSR, this revised approach enhances the accuracy and
safety of seismic design for masonry buildings, minimizing discrepancies in previous design methods and
offering a more reliable framework for assessing seismic performance.
