Author

MY. RAFIQ, G.C. ZHOU and D.J. EASTERBROOK
School of Civil and Structural Engineering University of Plymouth
mrafio@plymouth.ac.uk

Abstract

This paper introduces a new concept of a stiffness/strength corrector to model the variation in masonry properties in laterally loaded masonry panels. Research by the authors has established that the variation in masonry properties is closely related u> structural characteristics such as boundary conditions rather than material constituents. The paper proposes rules which relate the stiffness/strength corrector values from a known experimental panel to a panel for which only the geometric form and boundary conditions are known. An investigation Is presented into the validity of using these correctors for improving the finite element analysis results of the panel.