Effect of roof diaphragm on masonry structures under dynamic loading

The structural collapse of masonry structure under dynamic loading displays many possible failure mechanisms often related to interaction between structural components. Roof collapse is one of the major damage mechanisms observed in masonry structures during an earthquake. Better connection between the roof diaphragm and walls may be preventing roof collapse, but it can affect other failure mechanisms. In spite of this fact, less attention has been paid to the influence of the roof diaphragm effect on masonry structures and little research has been implemented in this field. In the present study, the roof diaphragm effect on the unreinforced masonry structure under dynamic loading has been experimentally investigated. Three one-quarter scale one-story adobe masonry house models with different roof conditions have been tested by subjecting them to sinusoid loading on a shaking table simulator. Phenomena such as failure pattern, dynamic performance of masonry structure were examined.