Glossary

Boundary conditions are analytical relationships that express the properties of

connections between members, and between members and the ground.
Storey mechanism (each story is separately analyzed for shear mode of
deformation)
Bedjoint strength (the strength of the horizontal joints of mortar connecting the
masonry units)
Kinematic constraints (the rotations and deflections/translations, geometric
quantities)
Coupling action (the act of redistributions of the demands among the connected
elements)
Rigid vs Flexible diaphragms (enhances the robustness and redundancy as well
as limits the out of plane demand and drift and distributes the resultant demand
into lateral resisting elements proportionally to their relative stiffness, restrained in
plane translation (x/y/both in middle) and in plane rotation (about z-axis)
Isotropic Material is defined as if its mechanical and thermal properties are the
same in all directions. Isotropic materials can have a homogeneous or nonhomogeneous microscopic structures. For example, steel demonstrates isotropic
behavior, although its microscopic structure is non-homogeneous.
Orthotropic Materials is defined as if its mechanical or thermal properties are
unique and independent in three mutually perpendicular directions. Examples of
orthotropic materials are wood, many crystals, and rolled metals.
For example, the mechanical properties of wood at a point are described in the
longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions. The longitudinal axis (1) is parallel to
the grain (fiber) direction; the radial axis (2) is normal to the growth rings; and the
tangential axis (3) is tangent to the growth rings.
The equivalent frame is constructed of a series of macro elements forming up
various key elements of the masonry building. Various macro element models have
to date been reported in an attempt to simulate the component behavior as close to
actual as possible.