Students will acquire knowledge of methods for structural performance assessment, compliance criteria, and design principles for masonry building types. They will develop the ability to evaluate the quality of masonry structures, interpret the seismic performance under horizontal actions, derive suitable analytical models, and determine the applicability of equivalent or simplified modelling approaches. The course introduces students to equivalent frame modelling, both local and global out-of-plane failure mechanisms, and the theoretical foundations of seismic design and assessment according to Eurocode 6 and 8. In addition, students will be introduced to ongoing research projects and recent developments that are directly linked to the course topics, including opportunities for further academic qualification (e.g., master’s thesis). The course aims to strengthen students’ capacity to apply methods reflecting the current state of practice in the assessment of masonry structures. They will learn to use modern software tools to transform buildings into dynamic models and to evaluate their seismic response characteristics. Depending on the design situation and performance-based requirements, students will be guided to identify design deficiencies and to assess the adequacy of strengthening measures. Structural design and performance assessment – Masonry structures (L) URM in seismic regions, failure mechanism, modelling techniques, equivalent frame method; Nonlinear constitutive relationships, failure mode interaction, correlation to observed damages; Basics of masonry design (EN1996), code requirements and calculation examples; Simple masonry buildings (EN1998), design rules, evaluation criteria and calculation examples; Out of plane collapse, flange effect, irregular openings, limitations of the equivalent frame method; Assessment of dynamic soil-structure interaction; Evaluation of existing structures - strengthening (EN 1998-3). Earthquake Performance Assessment of Unreinforced Masonry Structures – (E, P) Advanced modelling techniques for nonlinear analysis and earthquake performance evaluation of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures; determination of building capacity and corresponding performance objectives for different seismic acceleration levels; performing of a detailed damage prognosis; comparison with existing building type specific fragility functions. Language Coaching The course will be taught bilingually (German and English). Parallel German language coaching is offered by the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Language Centre. The language component is not part of the course evaluation. |
