Seismic analysis of brick masonry walls of a power substation building

In this paper, a macroscopic failure criterion for structural masonry based on the critical plane approach is outlined first. Subsequently, the results of a 3D seismic analysis of masonry walls of a power substation building, typical of those constructed in the Montreal region in Canada, are presented. The analysis is conducted in the elastic range, assuming orthotropic material properties, and the admissibility of the stress field is assessed based on the proposed failure criterion. Anumerical study is performed examining the effect of different reinforcement strategies.