ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a numerical study on the effect of the relative geometry between piers and spandrels in the structural response of regular masonry frames against horizontal loading. A sensitivity analysis is carried out for thirty geometrical configurations of piers and spandrels under two different vertical loading conditions. The numerical analyses are performed with the use of a continuum finite element model enhanced with a crack-tracking technique. The chapter investigates the effect of the geometry of piers and spandrels in the horizontal capacity of regular masonry frames. The numerical study is performed on a simple frame with a door opening for thirty different geometrical configurations of piers and spandrel and two vertical load configurations. Two special cases of the 4-hinge mechanism are damage patterns of Type-1 and Type-2. These configurations occur for limited height of piers and massive spandrels. In these cases, the high flexural stiffness of the short columns restrains their rotation, making crucial their shear capacity.
