Closed form solution for predicting the horizontal capacity of masonry portal frames through limit analysis and comparison with experimental test results

摘要

The paper deals with the problem of evaluating the in-plane seismic capacity of unreinforced masonry portal frame, which can be considered the basic structural element in historical buildings. In particular, the Limit Analysis approach is used to provide simplified "closed form'' expressions of the horizontal collapse multiplier, also taking into account the eventual contribution of steel tie rods. Both sliding shear and shear diagonal cracking are also considered in order to take into account the shear failure modes of the pier walls.