Seismic performance assessment of unreinforced masonry buildings with a hybrid modeling approach

This study proposes a hybrid modeling approach for the seismic performance assessment of unreinforced masonry buildings. The method combines finite-element and equivalent-frame approaches such that more powerful features of each approach are utilized. The finite-element approach is used to model the masonry components of different geometrical and material characteristics with a high level of accuracy. Then this numerically simulated database is used in the analytical modeling of masonry buildings with equivalent beams and columns instead of spandrels and piers. Thus it becomes possible to model a masonry building as a frame structure that can simply be analyzed in order to capture the global behavior. The method has been verified by comparing the analytical results with the previous experimental findings. The last part of the study is devoted to the implementation of the method to an existing masonry building that was damaged during a severe earthquake.