Stability of Masonry Walls Subjected to Seismic Transverse Forces

Abstract

The stability condition of masonry walls subjected to seismic transverse forces is investigated by translating the problem into the analysis of a fixed–free ended prismatic column undergoing static horizontal forces equivalent to the maximum inertia actions. The column is assumed to be made of a no-tension material, with a linear stress-strain law in compression. The solution is achieved by a numerical model in which the column is ideally divided into a sufficiently high number of elements, each with uniform curvature. With reference to the deformed shape corresponding to a given load condition, this approach allows the stress and strain characteristic quantities of a cross section to be expressed recursively, and the stability domain to be defined in dimensionless terms. In the general case of a column subjected to its own weight, to a concentrated eccentric compressive load acting at the top, and to the related horizontal inertia forces, the results show that large-displacement effects, due to the material flexibility, can considerably reduce the maximum slenderness value corresponding to the rigid-body equilibrium condition.