ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a macro-element for the analysis of the in-plane response of reinforced masonry wall panels. The macro-element is composed of a force-based beam element, with fiber cross sections, for the computation of the axial-flexure interaction, coupled with a phenomenological law that describes the shear behavior. The coupling between the element and the shear behavior law is realized by the "section aggregator" function implemented in the OpenSees computational platform. Masonry is a traditional construction technology widespread in every part of the world. A large part of the worldwide housing stock consists of masonry buildings, especially in Europe. The natural evolution of this technology is represented by the Reinforced Masonry. Reinforced masonry is a composite material made up of bricks, mortar and reinforcing rebars, with the local and global behavior influenced by the interaction between the different components. Due to the geometric characteristics of the resisting masonry elements, the shear deformations are not negligible.
