Ce 479

Masonry Lecture #3
Design Provisions in the US

MASONRY DESIGN PROVISIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

SUMMARY OF CODE-DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN THE UNITED STATES

In summary, a local governmental jurisdiction in the United States adopts a model building code,
usually verbatim or in slightly amended form. That model building code comprises or references
design provisions and specifications for materials and methods of test. Those design provisions
and specifications are usually developed by consensus processes of technical specialty
organizations. As a result, the process by which building codes are developed in the United States
is very democratic, but also slow, complex, often frustrating, and sometimes contradictory.

SUMMARY OF MASONRY DESIGN PROVISIONS OF THE 2003 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE

Over the next 3 to 5 years, as the International Building Code (IBC) is adopted by local
jurisdictions, its provisions will become minimum legal design requirements for masonry
structures in most parts of the United States. For that reason, the structural-masonry design
portion of this course is based on the IBC.

The 2003 IBC permits several design approaches for masonry: strength design; working-stress
design; and empirical design. We will cover the first two only.

1) Its strength design provisions come from the 2002 MSJC Code (MSJC 2002).

2) Its allowable-stress design provisions come from the 2002 MSJC Code (MSJC 2002).

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Strength Design Provisions of the 2002 MSJC Code

The design provisions of the 2002 MSJC Code are based on linear elastic theory. Some level of
inspection is always required; there is no provision for the use of reduced nominal capacities if
inspection is omitted.

Strength-reduction Factors: Section 3.1.4

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Design Provisions in the US

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Allowable-Stress Design Provisions of the 2002 MSJC Code

The allowable-stress design provisions of the 2002 MSJC Code are based on linear elastic theory.
Some level of inspection is always required; there is no provision for the use of reduced allowable
stresses if inspection is omitted. Allowable stresses are outlined below, and will be discussed after
the other codes have been summarized.

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Design Provisions in the US

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Design Provisions in the US

L = Live Load

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Masonry Lecture #3
Design Provisions in the US

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Masonry Lecture #3
Design Provisions in the US

INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN OF MASONRY STRUCTURES REQUIRING

STRUCTURAL CALCULATION

Basic Mechanical Behavior of Masonry

Masonry is a composite material, comprising units, mortar, grout and accessory materials.
Because of this, its mechanical behavior is complex. Using nonlinear finite-element analysis,
addressing the behavior of constituent materials and of the interface relationships between them,
it is possible to analyze the force-deformation behavior of masonry elements.

For design, however, this approach is neither practical nor necessary. For design purposes,
masonry can be idealized as an isotropic material, with nonlinear stress-strain behavior in
compression (much like concrete), and linear stress-strain behavior in tension. Compressive
capacity is governed by crushing (often characterized by complex local behavior), and tensile
capacity, by the bond strength between units and mortar.

The crushing strength of masonry can be evaluated by compression tests on masonry prisms.
Design of masonry elements is based on a specified compressive strength of masonry, fm′,
whose role is analogous to that of the specified compressive strength of concrete, fc′ in concrete
design. The specified compressive strength of masonry is the basis for design, and forms part of
the contract documents. Those contract documents require verification that the masonry complies
with the specified compressive strength, either by compression tests of prisms, or by conservative
relationships using the compressive strengths of the units and the type of mortar. These are
addressed in the MSJC Code and Specification.

Masonry elements requiring structural calculation are designed using the specified compressive
strength, verified as noted above, and prescribed tensile bond strengths based on extensive
experimental verification.

Classification of Masonry Elements

Masonry elements can be designed in at least two ways:

• according to their structural function
• according to the approach used to design them

Classification of Masonry Elements by Structural Function

Non load-bearing masonry: supports vertical loads from self-weight only, plus possibly loads
from out-of-plane wind or earthquake.

Load-bearing masonry: supports vertical loads from roof or overlying floors, plus possibly loads
from in-plane shear, plus possibly loads from out-of-plane wind or earthquake.

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Design Provisions in the US
Although these two types of masonry can be approached using exactly the same tools of
engineering mechanics, they have been distinguished historically.

Classification of Masonry Elements by the Approach Used to Design Them

Unreinforced masonry: is designed assuming that tensile stresses are resisted by masonry, and
that the presence of any reinforcement is neglected in design. “Unreinforced masonry” can
therefore actually have reinforcement in it, for structural integrity or by prescription. That
reinforcement, however, is neglected in design calculations. Design is carried out in the linear
elastic range.

Reinforced masonry: is designed assuming that tensile stresses cannot be resisted by masonry,
and are resisted by reinforcement only. Design can be carried out by allowable stress design, or
by strength design.

• In allowable stress design, stresses corresponding to service loads are compared with
allowable stresses. The allowable stresses are material strengths, reduced by a factor of
safety. Factors of safety for masonry typically range from 2.5 to 4.

In strength design, design actions (axial forces, shears and moments) are computed using service
loads, and are then increased by load factors. The factored design actions are then compared with
nominal member strengths, decreased by strength-reduction factors.

The two design approaches (allowable-stress design and strength design) can each have the same
result, and also the same level of safety (measured in terms of probability of failure under service
loads). In allowable-stress design, the probability of failure is controlled directly by the factor of
safety. In strength design the probability of failure depends on the quotient of the load factor and
the capacity reduction factor (φ factor).

Most modern codes are based on strength design, because it gives a more uniform factor of safety
against collapse.

Approach of this Course to Classifying Masonry Elements

We shall classify masonry elements primarily by their structural function:

• Non-bearing elements

ƒ unreinforced panel walls

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Design Provisions in the US
ƒ curtain walls with horizontal reinforcement only

• Bearing elements

ƒ unreinforced bearing walls with eccentric gravity load

ƒ unreinforced bearing walls with eccentric gravity load plus out-of-plane load
ƒ effect of openings on bearing walls
ƒ shear walls (analysis, design of unreinforced shear walls, design of reinforced
shear walls)
ƒ reinforced beams
ƒ reinforced beam-columns

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