Bull Earthquake Eng (2014) 12:2531–2556 DOI 10.1007/s10518-014-9595-z ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER Effectiveness of nonlinear static procedures for slender masonry towers Barbara Pintucchi · Nicola Zani Received: 5 February 2013 / Accepted: 6 February 2014 / Published online: 18 February 2014 © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014 Abstract This paper investigates the accuracy of pushover-based methods in predicting the seismic response of slender masonry towers, through comparison with the results from a large number of nonlinear time-history dynamic analyses. In particular, conventional pushover analyses, in both their force- and displacement-based variants, are considered, and seismic assessment through the well-established N2 method is also addressed. The study is conducted by applying a simple non-linear elastic model recently developed and implemented in the computational code MADY to represent slender masonry structures. The model enables both pushover analyses and non-linear dynamic analyses to be performed with a minimum of effort. A multi-record incremental dynamic analysis carried out for a quite large number of structural cases, each of which is subjected to a comprehensive set of dynamic nonlinear analyses, is used to evaluate the accuracy of pushover methods in predicting the global structural response, as represented by the usual capacity curve together with a damage curve, both of which are compared with dynamic envelopes. Local responses, in terms of lateral displacements and the distribution of damage along the tower height are also compared. The results reveal that the key issue in the accuracy of pushover methods is the nature of the lateral load applied, that is, whether it is a force or a displacement. Different ranges of expected deformation are suggested for adopting each type of lateral load to better represent the actual behaviour of masonry towers and their damage under seismic events through pushover methods. Keywords Masonry towers · Pushover analysis · Nonlinear static procedures · No tension material · Incremental dynamic analysis · Force-based and displacement-based pushover 1 Introduction Nonlinear static procedures based on pushover analyses have been increasingly recognized as effective techniques in seismic design and assessment. The indubitable advantage of account- B. Pintucchi (B ) · N. Zani Department of civil and Environmental Engineering (DICeA), University of Florence, Piazza Brunelleschi 6, 50121 Florence, Italy e-mail: barbara.pintucchi@unifi.it 123