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A
first-order assessment of structures subjected
to earthquake loading can be achieved by applying a static
horizontal force that is some portion of the
structure’s weight. This horizontal force (or
acceleration) can be effectively simulated by
tilting the base on which the structure rests.
This concept, along with thrust-line analysis
(see
http://web.mit.edu/masonry/interactiveThrust/
), can be used to determine the minimum
horizontal acceleration that a masonry structure
can withstand. While this could be done
numerically, the graphical method provides
additional clarity through visualization of the
results.
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