Scoring models for reinforced masonry shear wall maximum displacement prediction under seismic loads

In the past decade, there has been an increased shift towards performance-based seismic design (PBSD) approaches to meet the requirements for the next generation of seismic codes worldwide. Displacement-based seismic design (DBSD) is key for implementing PBSD approaches as structural performance is typically linked to damage which in turn is associated with component displacements and deformations. Available reinforced masonry shear wall (RMSW) displacement prediction models in the literature are found to be unreliable when compared with published experimental results. This study outlines the use of a statistical multivariate analysis technique and applying it to develop a reliable model for the maximum displacement capacity prediction of RMSW systems. This approach is subsequently used to build scoring models based on an experimental database of 81 flexurally dominated RMSW tested under simulated seismic loads. The models are further utilized to investigate the influence of altering the wall design characteristics on their maximum displacement capacities. The developed models are considered a major step to facilitate DBSD codification of RMSW systems for the next generation of PBSD codes.