Seismic vulnerability assessment through global-and local-scale analyses for a historic masonry building constructed in 1896

The causes of collapse in masonry buildings are different than those of reinforced concrete and steel-framed buildings. This is due to differences in structural behavior as a result of the materials and techniques used in the construction of such buildings. The most significant contribution to this behavioral difference is made by the out-of-plane behavior of masonry buildings. Therefore, in addition to overall collapse, out-of-plane behaviors of the facade walls must also be determined in such buildings. Accordingly, not only global behavior but also local behaviors should be considered while evaluating structural performance. This paper, therefore, presents a seismic performance assessment of a masonry building by global-and local-scale analyses. The examined 3-story building was constructed in 1896 and used for different purposes. Linear, nonlinear, and kinematic limit analysis approaches were used. Shear forces on the walls and inter-story drifts obtained by the linear and nonlinear analyses were analogized with the limit values envisaged in the local building codes, thus the seismic vulnerability of the building was determined. Overturning, vertical bending and lateral bending mechanisms were obtained by local analysis

Automated summary

The causes of collapse in masonry buildings differ from those of reinforced concrete and steel-framed buildings due to differences in structural behavior resulting from construction materials and techniques. Out-of-plane behavior of masonry buildings is the most significant contributor to this difference, requiring consideration of both global and local behaviors in evaluating structural performance. This paper presents a seismic performance assessment of a 3-story masonry building using global and local-scale analyses, determining its seismic vulnerability through comparisons with limit values envisaged in local building codes. Local analysis yielded overturning, vertical bending, and lateral bending mechanisms.