Numerical investigation of non-linear equivalent-frame models for regular masonry walls

The evaluation of EFM and FEM is derived from a comparative simulation of a two-storey URM wall experimentally tested by other researchers. Two alternative approaches are assumed for the definition of piers' effective heights in the EFM, i.e. the models proposed by Dolce [1] and Augenti [2]. The results demonstrate that remarkable differences may be detected in EFM and FEM predictions of the shear capacity and damage mechanisms as a function of pier-spandrel geometrical configurations. This result highlights the need for a cautious application of EFM to existing URM structures.