Use of Empirical Constitutive Properties to Develop a Resistance Function for Reinforced Masonry

摘要

The current practices used in blast design for reinforced masonry are largely based on single-degree-of-freedom analyses. These analyses use a resistance function, i.e., a load-deflection response, to define the behavior of the structural system (in this case, a wall). This paper presents an improved method for determining the resistance function for reinforced masonry walls. The new approach is capable of more accurately capturing the true behavior of a reinforced masonry wall loaded out-of-plane. The improved method is compared to current blast design practices and test data.