Suitability of Height Amplification Factors for Seismic Assessment of Existing Unreinforced Masonry Components

ABSTRACT

The suitability of ‘design’ height amplification factors (HAF) for the purpose of seismic assessment of existing non-structural unreinforced masonry (URM) components with known strength was evaluated through a numerical study. Four building typologies were included that represented pre-1940 URM construction in Australia and New Zealand. Through pushover and incremental dynamic analyses, the effects of diaphragm flexibility and nonlinear building response on floor accelerations were studied. It was found that Australia/New Zealand code procedures include significant inelastic building behaviour that reduces HAF. An interpretation was made on the applicability of the assumptions in the context of assessing non-structural URM components.

KEYWORDS:

• Unreinforced masonry
• non-structural components
• flexible diaphragms
• seismic input
• height amplification factor

Acknowledgments

The first author acknowledges the support of Australian Government through Australian Research Council Early Career Researcher Award (DE180101593). The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Australian Research Council through its Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) programme and specifically the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the sponsors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Australian Research Council [DE180101593].