ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to give a contribution in dealing with uncertainties by applying a global probabilistic analysis on different masonry structural units. It proposes an original and simplified methodology for evaluating the seismic vulnerability of masonry buildings. Approach is based on the Italian seismic code and relies on a simplified non-linear assessment method. Masonry constructions had been also founded to be particularly susceptible to damage induced by dynamic actions due to seismic events. The Capacity/Demand displacement ratio ratio distribution has been obtained by varying the types of masonry and by considering the presence or absence of good connection between the walls. The seismic Italian code allows, in the case of infinitely rigid floors, a set of simplification hypothesis to assess the seismic performance of a masonry existing building. The Italian code provides the seismic input in terms of elastic acceleration response spectra, defined for nine different return periods and for nodes within a predefined grid of geographic points.
