The Influence of Pier Stiffness Ratio on the Failure Modes of Masonry Structures

Abstract

Masonry structure is the main form of Chinese urban and rural housing construction structure. And heavy casualties and huge economic losses are caused by the damages of masonry structures in the previous destructive earthquake. So the failure modes of masonry structures are analyzed in the paper. ABAQUS software was used; and the Xuankou High School Student Dormitory of masonry structure in Yingxiu town, severely damaged under the Wenchuan earthquake, was taken for example. The influence of the stiffness ratio of pier between windows and spandrel on the failure modes of masonry structures is discussed. The results show that the failure modes in the earthquake could be changed by controlling the stiffness ratio. Suitable stiffness ratio helps proper design of masonry structures.