Series On Innovation In Structures And Construction – serie

In the last few decades, a considerable amount of experimental and analytical research on the seismic behaviour of masonry walls and buildings has been carried out. The investigations resulted in the development of methods for seismic analysis and design, as well as new technologies and construction systems. After many centuries of traditional use and decades of allowable stress design, clear concepts for limit state verification of masonry buildings under earthquake loading have recently been introduced in codes of practice.Although this book is not a review of the state-of-the-art of masonry structures in earthquake zones, an attempt has been made to balance the discussion on recent code requirements, state-of-the-art methods of earthquake-resistant design and the author's research work, in order to render the book useful for a broader application in design practice. An attempt has also been made to present, in a condensed but easy to understand way, all the information needed for earthquake-resistant design of masonry buildings constructed using traditional systems. The basic concepts of limit state verification are presented and equations for seismic resistance verification of masonry walls of all types of construction, (unreinforced, confined and reinforced) as well as masonry-infilled reinforced concrete frames, are addressed. A method for seismic resistance verification, compatible with recent code requirements, is also discussed. In all cases, experimental results are used to explain the proposed methods and equations.An important part of this book is dedicated to the discussion of the problems of repair, retrofit and rehabilitation of existing masonry buildings, including historical structures in urban centres. Methods of strengthening masonry walls as well as improving the structural integrity of existing buildings are described in detail. Wherever possible, experimental evidence regarding the effectiveness of the proposed strengthening methods is given.

The response of civil engineering works to earthquakes is the only real and conclusive proof of their adequacy or otherwise. However, earthquakes as natural geological phenomena are few and far-between, which is fortunate from a human point of view. Therefore, drawing important lessons from each and every earthquake is vital for improving the understanding of their effects and consequently for mitigating the effects of future earthquakes. It is in this context that this volume has been written, where a number of distinguished and internationally renowned earthquake engineers make contributions largely based on lessons from recent earthquakes. In particular, studies of the Kobe earthquake of 1995 and the more recent devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Greece (August and September 1999, respectively) are included. Through assimilation of the lessons learnt and dissemination of this information, it is hoped that, future earthquakes will not exact such a heavy toll.