Comparative Study of Effect of Aspect ratio (Height to Base Ratio) on Seismic Performance of Brick Masonry Buildings

Abstract

Masonry buildings are widely used for housing construction not only in India but in many other countries of the world. Most of the casualties are due to collapse of these constructions in earthquakes. Irregularity in plan(C or U shape), mass or stiffness result in generation of torsional forces causing collapse of building due to irregular response and complex dynamics. Building shaped like a box, such as rectangular, both in plan and elevation, is inherently stronger than one that is L-shaped or U-shape building .Aspect Ratio is also an important factor contributing to effective performance of brick masonry building during earthquake. It is a ratio of height of building to base width along the direction of of lateral forces induced because of earthquake.