Seismic performances of modern unreinforced multi-storey clay masonry buildings based on pushover analysis

This paper presents an overall summary of a running research project aiming at the validation of structural solutions using unreinforced load-bearing clay masonry for family houses and multi-storey buildings fulfilling the requirements of Eurocode 8 for low to moderate seismic areas. The paper covers the following issues: (i) Presentation of a database of typical buildings for the considered geographical area; (ii) Collection of the mechanical properties for the different materials entering into the design; (iii) Assessment of the seismic behaviour of the configurations of the data-base, using the experimentally characterised material properties. The analysis is carried out by a pushover procedure using an equivalent frame modelling for describing the global structural behaviour. Results are evaluated on the base of the N2-method. General outcomes of the study are expressed in terms of overall seismic resistance for the required ground acceleration level of the zones (typically 0.1 to 015g).