The traditional construction methods in Bhutan consist of rammed earth and stone masonry structures
where most of the population live. However, during the 2009 Eastern Bhutan earthquake and the 2011
Sikkim, India earthquake huge numbers of these traditional buildings suffered severe damages.
Therefore, it is important to evaluate the seismic performance of these buildings to prevent future
disaster. Several studies have been carried out by numerous authors and particularly full-scale specimens
representing traditional Bhutanese buildings were studied through quasi static pushover tests.This study
aims to discuss the dynamic characteristics of composite masonry structures by shaking table tests on
1/6 reduced scale models under scaled earthquake motions recorded in Bhutan. A total of four specimens
comprising of two rammed earth (unreinforced &retrofitted) and two stone masonry (unreinforced
&retrofitted) were tested to understand change in dynamic properties and damage propagation. Further
numerical analysis was carried by transforming the models to two-degree lumped mass system based on
microtremor measurements. The time history analysis was executed both in linear and nonlinear ranges
using the input motion from the experimental tests and dynamic behaviors were further studied
comparing with the experimental results.
Keywords: Bhutan, composite masonry, dynamic behavior. shaking table, lumped mass.