CONCENTRATED LOADS ON SOLID MASONRY WALLS - A PARAMETRIC STUDY AND DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

The strength of solid masonary walls subjected to concentrated loads is studied, using a finite element model to simulate wall behaviour. The finite element model is able to reproduce the non-linear deformation characteristics of the bricks and mortar as well as local failure in both bricks and joints. To allow the efficient modelling of storey height walls, multi-level substructuring and mesh-refinement techniques are used. A parametric study is carried out with the influence of loaded area ratio, load location and wall geometry being considered. It is shown that all three of these variables significantly influence the degree of enhancement of wall bearing strength in the region directly beneath the load. Existing design rules are reviewed and shown to be non-conservative and incomplete in many cases. More realistic design provisions are prepared from the results of the parametric study. Two relationships are presented, one incorporating all of the above three variables, and a second simplified expression based on a conservative assumption regarding wall geometry.(a)

• Authors:
  • Ali, S B
  • Page, A W
• Conference:
  • PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
• Publication Date: 1988-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 271-89
• Serial:
  • Volume: 85

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Failure; Finite element method; Loads; Masonry construction; Mathematical analysis; Strength of materials; Walls
• ITRD Terms: 6471: Analysis (math); 9001: Behaviour; 5520: Failure; 6490: Finite element method; 5567: Load; 4529: Masonry; 5544: Strength (mater); 3368: Wall
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00481730
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 30 1989 12:00AM