Seismic Assessment of Masonry Structures

This lecture covers the seismic assessment of masonry structures, focusing on the out-of-plane failure of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls. It discusses the failure mechanisms, storey response spectra, force-displacement response, and seismic engineering principles. The presentation includes a case study on the 2020 earthquake in Zagreb, Croatia, analyzing the impact on masonry buildings and key infrastructure. Various failure modes, numerical simulations, and tools for assessing URM buildings are explored. The lecture also delves into the challenges and uncertainties in numerical modeling, as well as the importance of seismic engineering in mitigating risks and reducing economic losses.