1. Introduction -- 2. Earthquakes and seismic performance of masonry buildings. 2.1. Introduction. 2.2. Earthquakes and seismic ground motion. 2.3. Seismic performance of masonry buildings. 2.4. References -- 3. Masonry materials and construction systems. 3.1. Introduction. 3.2. Masonry materials. 3.3. Construction systems. 3.4. References -- 4. Architectural and structural concepts of earthquake-resistant building configuration. 4.1. Introduction. 4.2. Building configuration. 4.3. Dimensions, building height and number of stories. 4.4. Distribution of structural walls. 4.5. Wall openings. 4.6. Simple buildings. 4.7. Non-structural elements. 4.8. References -- 5. Floors and roofs. 5.1. Introduction. 5.2. Floors. 5.3. Bond-beams. 5.4. Lintels, balconies and overhangs. 5.5. Roofs. 5.6. References -- 6. Basic concepts of limit states verification of seismic resistance of masonry buildings. 6.1. Fundamentals. 6.2. Safety verification and partial Safety factors for materials. 6.3. Design seismic action. 6.4. References -- 7. Seismic resistance verification of structural walls. 7.1. Introduction. 7.2. Experimental simulation of seismic behaviour of masonry walls. 7.3. Idealisation of experimental results. 7.4. Shear resistance. 7.5. Flexural resistance. 7.6. Sliding shear. 7.7. Flanged sections. 7.8. Out-of-plane behaviour. 7.9. Non-structural elements. 7.10. References -- 8. Masonry infilled reinforced concrete frames. 8.1. Introduction. 8.2. Seismic behaviour and mechanisms. 8.3. Seismic resistance verification. 8.4. References -- 9. Seismic resistance verification of masonry buildings. 9.1. Introduction. 9.2. Calculation procedures. 9.3. Structural models. 9.4. Storey resistance envelope. 9.5. Seismic resistance verification. 9.6. References -- 10. Repair and strengthening of masonry buildings. 10.1. Introduction. 10.2. Criteria for repair and strengthening. 10.3. Verification of seismic resistance of existing masonry buildings. 10.4. Methods of strengthening of masonry walls. 10.5. Methods of improving structural integrity. 10.6. Foundations. 10.7. Non-structural elements. 10.8. References.

In the last few decades, a considerable amount of experimental and analytical research on the seismic behaviour of masonry walls and buildings has been carried out. The investigations resulted in the development of methods for seismic analysis and design, as well as new technologies and construction systems. After many centuries of traditional use and decades of allowable stress design, clear concepts for limit state verification of masonry buildings under earthquake loading have recently been introduced in codes of practice. Although this book is not a review of the state-of-the-art of masonry structures in earthquake zones, an attempt has been made to balance the discussion on recent code requirements, state-of-the-art methods of earthquake-resistant design and the author's research work, in order to render the book useful for a broader application in design practice. An attempt has also been made to present, in a condensed but easy to understand way, all the information needed for earthquake-resistant design of masonry buildings constructed using traditional systems. The basic concepts of limit state verification are presented and equations for seismic resistance verification of masonry walls of all types of construction, (unreinforced, confined and reinforced) as well as masonry-infilled reinforced concrete frames, are addressed. A method for seismic resistance verification, compatible with recent code requirements, is also discussed. In all cases, experimental results are used to explain the proposed methods and equations. An important part of this book is dedicated to the discussion of the problems of repair, retrofit and rehabilitation of existing masonry buildings, including historical structures in urban centres. Methods of strengthening masonry walls as well as improving the structural integrity of existing buildings are described in detail. Wherever possible, experimental evidence regarding the effectiveness of the proposed strengthening methods is given