Global sensitivity analysis of unreinforced masonry structure using high dimensional model representation

Sensitivity Analysis (SA) has very important implications in terms of model assessment. It is an important part of reliability studies as well. This paper presents global SA using High Dimensional Model Representation (HDMR) on a mesoscale model of unreinforced masonry shear wall. The mesoscale model contains both geometric as well as material nonlinearity. Prior to performing global SA: (a) mesh sensitivity study in order to determine the optimum mesh size; and (b) experimental validation of the finite element simulation using the data available in the literature, are conducted. The ability of two major variations of HDMR, namely RS (Random Sampling)-HDMR and Cut-HDMR, for conducting global SA is explored, first by solving analytical problem and later by analyzing the mesoscale model of unreinforced shear wall. From the study, recommendations are made to obtain the sensitive parameters of an unreinforced masonry structure with minimal computational effort. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.