Author
Y SHI and D D’ AYALA
Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath

Abstract
This paper reports on a test program which aims to validate former theoretical work carried out at the University of Bath, correlating seismic damage mechanisms of masonry walls to their geometric and structural characteristics. A series of pseudo-static tests were performed to study the in-plane collapse behaviour of dry masonry walls. Panels with various geometric dimensions and staggering ratios were considered. Two kinds of bricks, namely a larger 3/4-scale one and a smaller 1/2-scale one were used. The relationship between in-plane damage mechanisms of masonry walls and their structural configurations is studied in detail and some constructive conclusions drawn. A procedure from former theoretical work is also validated against the experimental results.