Abstract This paper presents numerical simulations within the frame of project SERA—AIMS (Seismic Testing Adjacent Interacting Masonry Structures). The study includes blind pre-diction and post-diction stages. former was developed before performing shaking table tests at laboratory facilities LNEC (Lisbon), while latter carried out once test results were known. For both, three-dimensional finit...

Debris flow is a very destructive natural disaster. This paper presents a novel masonry structure with strong resistance to debris flow—by using walls that are set with braces and filled with straw bricks. This structure was designed according to the concepts of sustainability. In order to study the dynamic response of this novel masonry structure under debris flow, finite element models of dif...

Masonry infill walls are among the most vulnerable components of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures. Recently, some techniques for enhancing performance infills have been proposed, aiming at improving both global and local behaviour infilled structure. Among promising ones, there those that aim to decouple or reduce infill-frame interaction by means flexible sliding joints, relying respe...

A performance-based seismic assessment of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings requires the use of reliable models, able to predict their nonlinear force-displacement response including their displacement capacity. Among the possible methodologies, at different levels of complexity, macro-modelling using structural component elements has proved to be an approach that can provide satisfactory ac...

Unreinforced masonry (URM) structures are known to be rather vulnerable to seismic loading. Modern URM buildings with reinforced concrete (RC) slabs might, however, have an acceptable seismic performance for regions of low to moderate seismicity. In particular in countries of moderate seismicity it is often difficult to demonstrate the seismic safety of modern URM buildings by means of force-ba...

Response modification factors (R-factor) are used in current seismic building codes to reduce earthquake forces associated with seismic design level to determine force levels. In recent years, many authors have shown great interest in the development of seismic structural systems and several theoretical and experimental studies have been conducted to investigate performance of dampers but littl...

Masonry infill walls are critical components of reinforced concrete (RC) frames, which may be damaged even under earthquake events moderate intensity, thus resulting in significant losses. Recent experimental and numerical studies have investigated innovative solutions for protecting these by reducing their interaction with the RC frame. Among these, specially shaped rubber joints were develope...

Masonry infill has been widely used as building material due to its cost effectiveness and availability.  The failure of these masonry infill walls during the past earthquakes have underscored the importance of ensuring the safety of the infill walls when it is subjected to lateral loads. In-plane and out of plane failures have been observed in many reinforced concrete framed building with maso...