ABSTRACT
Seismic strength-design methods used in America for reinforced masonry shear wall buildings are summarized, particularly with reference to displacement demand and capacity. This chapter provides a summary of seismic design practices used in the United States for reinforced masonry construction. It highlights the need for deformability with respect to lowering demand as well as increasing lateral-force capacity. The chapter discusses future advancements in seismic design procedures that enhance both flexibility and displacement capacity of masonry shear-wall buildings. Seismic Design Categories are assigned per ASCE 7-10 based on occupancy, site conditions and spectral values from hazard maps based upon building location. Inelastic deformability of reinforced masonry shear walls is a topic that has received considerable attention from researchers, code writers and practitioners over the past decades. Seismic forces were transferred across steel connector plates to the masonry structural panels.
