ABSTRACT
Lateral in-plane response plays crucial role in seismic behavior of masonry structures. This chapter investigates experimentally the effects of vertical stresses on the lateral in-plane behavior of masonry walls. The damage mechanism, lateral strength and deformability characteristics of the specimens have been evaluated and compared to understand the influence of vertical stresses on the in-plane response. Brick Masonry may be the most popular choice of building construction throughout the world. Masonry structures suffered yet again in the more recent earthquake of October 2015 Afghanistan earthquake. Seismic capacity of masonry structure is affected by a variety of parameters that include aspect ratio, level of vertical stress, mechanical properties of masonry and its constituents and flanges. Force-deformation curve is one of the most important indicator of seismic resistance and performance of masonry structures. Lateral strength capacity is also one of the important indicator of seismic resistance and performance of masonry structures.
