Earthquake resistant design of masonry tower structures

The paper refers to the problem of protection of masonry tower structures against earthquake hazard. This specific category includes several important types of historical structures: chimneys, bell towers, lighthouses, minarets etc. For the complicated response of these structures, there is a lack of knowledge and information concerning their behaviour under seismic actions. In this paper the peculiarities of the response of such structures are investigated. Namely the compression-nontension response and the load distribution along the height of these structures, modifying both significantly the response compared to response pf regular building structures, is examined. The structures under consideration present a high degree of vulnerability against earthquakes and usually strengthening is required for their protection. In this paper methods of strengthening and an appropriate analysis and design process, taking into account all these parameters, are proposed. The whole process is illustrated using the case-study of one typical masonry tower structure, the bell tower of Agia Paraskevi in Metsovo, Greece.