Numerical study of the behaviour of masonry walls with different height‐length ratio under static and seismic loads

Abstract

The effect of the height‐to‐length ratio of unreinforced and confined masonry walls under horizontal static and seismic loads was numerically investigated by using a previously developed numerical model of the authors for nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of masonry structures. The model can simulate the main nonlinear effects of construction materials and large displacements of structures. Masonry walls without openings were analysed, with variants of rigid and soft masonry. It was assumed that wall foundation uplifting is possible, without its slipping beyond subsoil. Masonry walls with equal height and different length, and masonry walls with equal length and different height were analysed. It was concluded that the height‐to‐length ratio of masonry walls has a significant influence on their ultimate bearing capacity under static and seismic loads.