Survey on Seismic Damage Mechanism of Multi-story Masonry Structure with First Soft Floor

Abstract

The multi-story masonry structure with first soft floor (MSMSFSS) is a special type of masonry structure, which is very popular in many towns and rural areas in the south of China. Large number of the MSMSFSSs locate in areas with high seismic intensity. In Wenchuan Earthquake, great casualties and huge economic losses were caused by the collapse and destruction of MSMSFSSs. It is an urgent task to find out the seismic damage mechanism of this structure, which is the foundation to develop seismic design theory and seismic reinforcement methods suitable for MSMSFSS. In this paper, we reviewed the main advances made in the research on seismic damage mechanism of MSMSFSS, including study results by field investigation, experiment and numerical analysis. Based on the discussion of some problems unsolved or to be improved, we proposed several suggestions to enhance the research of MSMSFSS in the future. The influence of the number of upper stories, the number of longitudinal walls, the location of openings, and the height-width ratio of inter-window walls should be taken into account. Comparative experimental study between MSMSFSS and ordinary multi-story masonry structure should be carried out. Quantitative research should be enhanced and simulation analysis methods should be widely utilized.