Evaluation and Design of Masonry Dwellings in Seismic Zones

Using an alternative approach, based on the demand and capacity of lateral deformations in the structure, an evaluation of seismic demand and capacity of masonry dwellings in seismic zones is performed in this paper. Recorded ground motions and general observed damage on masonry construction during several earthquakes that occurred mainly in Latin America are used in this evaluation. A seismic damage parameter previously proposed by the author is also used in a global evaluation of masonry dwelling responding to the analyzed earthquakes, in which the observed building response is correlated with the results of the damage parameter evaluation. Results of this correlation are considered in acceptable agreement.