Influence of openings on seismic performance of masonry building walls

In the present study, finite element analysis has been carried out for a single storey one-room masonry building with different aspect ratios and with different positions of openings in different walls subjected to the seismic force with varying direction. The response spectrum method has been employed for its seismic analysis. The variation of two most critical parameters namely, maximum principal tensile stress and maximum shear stress has been studied for monitoring the performance of masonry walls. It is observed from the present study that the critical direction of seismic force for the development of maximum stresses in the walls of a room with openings is along the short wall of the room and maximum principal tensile stress and maximum shear stress developed in the shear walls generally increase as the aspect ratio of the building increases and it is greatly influenced by the position of openings. It is also observed that the maximum principal tensile stress occurs in short wall and maximum shear stress occurs in long wall.