Statistical Assessment of In-Plane Masonry Panels Using Limit Analysis with Sliding Mechanism

Historical masonry structures have a great interest in civil engineering because they constitute large part of the world’s building heritage. In this paper, effects that different geometrical (panel ratio, block and bond type) mechanical (friction ratio) parameters on in-plane structural response brick panels are investigated. A discrete modeling approach, based limit analysis capable reproducing sliding mechanisms, formulation by one authors has been adopted, enhanced, implemented. Results, terms collapse multipliers presented analyzed following systematic statistical approach. Statistically significant found for each factor considered. Furthermore, model adopted included nonlinear allowed identification whether effect parameter depends level any other parameters. Thus, it was observed two-way interactions played an important role panels. The panel ratio-friction ratio interaction with more effect.