http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/services/Feed ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:11494 Estimating the performance of structural elements requires the assessment of the response of those elements in terms of their response values (i.e. strengths, stresses, drifts, cracks, etc.) against loads and external forces of various kinds. For the seismic performance of masonry structures, until recently this approach was addressed in rather general terms with designers more interested in the survival of the structure in a maximum expected earthquake, with an acceptably low probability of occurrence. This traditional approach to seismic design is being replaced by performance-based design with the required performance depending on the level of the design seismic forces. This paper provides an overview of some of the methods for the evaluation of the in-plane resistance of masonry walls, which are already incorporated in national codes. Some results of recent experimental investigations of the shear capacity of in-plane loaded masonry walls subjected to cyclic loading are also presented with the aim of studying the potential for the application of these new concepts of assessment of seismic performance. The performance of unreinforced masonry walls in relation to the different design performance objectives and performance levels is then discussed. 2012-09-10T05:00:12.549Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1831 The shear capacity of masonry subjected to both monotonic and cyclic loading was experimentally studied in order to assess its potential seismic performance. The strength and deformation characteristics of both the masonry assembly and its components were studied. The performance of the masonry panels subjected to pre-compression and in-plane load was assessed both in relation to failure criteria postulated by previous investigations as well as the Euro Code (EC) provisions. The results were also assessed in terms of Performance Based Design (PBD). The results show that, by considering the results of testing the brick-mortar interface and of compressive and diagonal tests of masonry specimens, the performance of in-plane laterally loaded masonry walls under cyclic loading can be well predicted for brickwork made from stiffer mortars. The proposed model for evaluating the characteristic shear strength from EC6 using the partial safety factors according to the provisions of EC8 can accurately predict the design shear strength of the masonry derived from cyclic shear tests under different levels of pre-compression. However, for diagonally loaded walls under monotonic loading, the partial safety factors given by EC6 seem to be too severe. For wall specimens under cyclic loading, using the results from the splitting tensile tests of the masonry in conjunction with Turnsek's model gave a better prediction of the design shear strength. 2010-04-27T06:35:08.344Z ]]>