ABSTRACT
Historical structures are mainly masonry structures, and they are composed of blocks made of natural stones, bricks or both, and they are built in different patterns with or without mortar. As Japan is a seismically active country, an emphasis was given on the seismic response and stability of restored masonry structures such as arches and walls during earthquakes and natural rock structures. Furthermore, The deterioration by atmospheric agents, bombing and seismic shaking damaged some of these structures. The authors describes the outcomes of experimental, limiting equilibrium and numerical studies on the stability of historical masonry structures under dynamic loads such as those induced by earthquakes and their implications are discussed.
