Experimental investigation on the seismic behaviour of masonry housing in low seismicity areas

This contribution presents the results of an experimental investigation carried out on the shaking table of the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering of Lisbon (LNEC), in order to validate the efficiency of some constructive proposals aiming at improving the structural behaviour of non engineered masonry housing subjected to low to moderate seismic action, with rather low costs compared to traditional North-European practice. Two specimens have been tested. These specimens were two full-scale small houses with two levels. The first one was built as a traditional
Belgian house, while the second included some anti-seismic technical details.
The main conclusions are that both specimens were still standing at the maximum earthquake level foreseen for Belgium, but that the improved model was much less damaged regarding crack openings in the walls. Therefore the economic consequences and repair costs would be much lower with these improvements. However the maximum ground acceleration that can be sustained by the structures seems to be very little influenced by the constructional detailing.