Assessing the seismic performance of existing buildings in Canada

This paper presents the Canadian practice for the design of earthquake-resistant masonry structures, problems germane to the existing unreinforced masonry infrastructure never designed to resist earthquakes, and masonry-related earthquake engineering research efforts in Canada. The evolution of Canadian masonry construction, size of the industry, building code and detailing requirements, design methods, materials, allowable stresses are reviewed for both unreinforced and reinforced masonry. Examples of masonry buildings damaged during past Canadian earthquakes are presented. For the seismic evaluation of existing masonry structures in Canada, issues pertaining to building code, detailing, seismic retrofit ordinances, heritage buildings, and Eastern Canadian seismicity are formulated from a Canadian perspective. An overview of on-going research activities initiated to tackle some of these issues, and a preliminary outline of some research findings and needs, are also presented.