COMPUTATION OF

UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDINGS

STUDY CASE

Bearing structure: unreinforced masonry walls and wood slabs

Height: ground floor + 3 floors
Input data: S=500, B=500 [cm]
Wall thickness= 30cm
Specific weight = 16kN/m3

CONTENTS:
1. Material and geometrical characteristics
1.1 Geometrical characteristics
1.2 Materials characteristics
2. Loads
2.1 Permanent loads
2.2 Variable loads
2.3 Seismic loads
2.4 Group of loads
3. Linear static analysis
3.1 Computation model
3.2 Vibration modes analysis
3.3 wall efforts analysis
4. Safety degree
1. Material and geometrical characteristics
1.1 Geometrical characteristics

1.2 Material Features

For the linear elastic domain design, taking into account the behavior factor q, the design
strength of the masonry for the evaluation of the resistance to axial and shear forces, are taken
as follow:

Type Value Norms

Strength in compression of the brick = 5.0 [ ] -
2
Medium strength of the mortar in = 1.0 [ ] -
compression 2
Trust factor = 1.35 Cf.4.1 P100-3/2008
Partial safety factor = 2.75 Cf.D.3.4.1.3.1.2.P100/2008

Design strength to compression of the = 0.54 [ ] Cf.D.3.4.1.3.1.1.P100/2008

masonry 2
Tensile strength of the masonry = 0.022 [ ] Cf.D.3.4.1.3.1.1.P100/2008
2
Longitudinal modulus of elasticity of the = 1543 [ ] Cf.tab.4.9 CR6-2006
masonry 2
2.Loads
The loads are established according to Eurocode SR EN 1991-1-1-2004.

2.1 Permanent Loads

Permanent loads at the roof level.

Crt.no. Load name Load on surface[kN/m2]

1 Envelope (steel panels + deck + rafters) 0.70
2 Framing ( Collars+ braces+ tongs+ posts ) 0.55
Total 1.25

Permanent loads at the floor level.

Crt.no. Element name Thickness Specific weight Load on surface

(m) [kN/m3] [kN/m2]
1 Wood flooring 0.024 8 0.20
2 Thermal insulation full brick 0.065 16.5 1.07
3 Wood beams - 8 0.50
4 Wood flooring 0.024 8 0.20
5 Plaster 0.01 19 0.19
Total 2.16

Loads from the masonry elements.

Crt.no. Element name Thickness Specific weight Load on surface
(m) [kN/m3] [kN/m2]
*
1 Reinforced concrete elements - 16 16
Total weight 16

*The weight of the structural elements is obtained from the design program according to their
dimensions and specific weight of the elements.

2.2 Variable loads.

Snow load
= CR1-1-3/2012
is- Exposure importance factor 1
i- Shape coefficient of the snow load 0.8
Ce -Exposure coefficient 1
Ct-Thermic coefficient 1
Sk- Characterisitc snow weight on the ground 2.5 kN/m2
Total P1,k=2.00 kN/m2
Live load
According to SR EN 1991-1-1-2004, table 6.1, the variable load on the roof and attic is
= 0.75 [ 2 ] and on the plate over the ground floor = 2.5 [ 2 ].

2.3 Accidental loads

For the seismic load is considered:
I= 1.2 importance factor (tab. 4.3, P100-1/2006)
ag= 0.20 g ground acceleration (fig. 3.1, P100-1/2006)
Tc = 0.7 s corner period (fig. 3.2, P100-1/2006)
q =1.5 behaviour factor (Anex D, P100-3/2008)

2.4 Load combination

No. Name Type Permanent Variable Snow Sm x Sm y
1 Fundamental SLU 1.35 1.5 1.05 0 0
1
2 Fundamental SLU 1.35 1.05 1.5 0 0
2
3 SEISM Sx SLU 1 0.4 0.4 1 0
4 SEISM Sy SLU 1 0.4 0.4 0 1
5 Modal 1 0.4 0.4 0 0
3. Static linear analysis
The loads are established according to SR EN 1991-1-1-2004.

3.1 Design model

According to the finite element model of the structure, it is run the analysis to identify the modes
of vibration and static linear analyses to pinpoint the tensions and stresses in the walls.

3.2 Modes of vibration analysis

4. Degree of safety
4.1 Degree of safety on embrasure

For each wall it is determined the capable shear force in the base section according to P100-
3/2008 and is compared with the effective efforts resulted from the static linear analysis thus
obtaining the degree of safety on embrasure.
Are fallowed:

(1) Shear force associated with the eccentric compression failure of an unreinforced masonry wall
loaded to the axial design force Nd is computed with:

1 = (1 1.15 ) (D.5)

Where:

= shape factor of the masonry wall

Where:

Hp- Height of the wall

lw- Length of the wall

cp- coefficient that depend on the fixing conditions at the ends of the wall

cp=2.0 for mullion (cantilever wall)

cp=1.0 for double restrain wall (embrasure)

0 = average unit compression effort accordingly to the design axial force Nd

t thickness of the wall

0
=

fd design strength in compression according to D.3.4.1.3.1

(2) Resistance capacity to the shear force of an unreinforced masonry wall is given by:
V2 = min(21 , 22 ) (D.6)

Where:
I. Design value of the shear fracture in the horizontal joint

V21 = (D.7)

Where:
D length of compressed area of the wall
t thickness of the wall
fvd strength to shear fracture in the joint according to D.3.4.1.3.1.

=

For old full brick masonry and with lime mortar f vk is computed with (4.3a) and (4.3b) from CR 6-2006
where the initial characteristic unitary strength to shear of the masonry is:

0 = 0.045 N/mm2

= 0 + 0.4 (4.3a)

II. Design value of the shear fracture by diagonal cracking

0
V22 = 1 + (D.8)

Where:

b coefficient with values: 11 = 1.5 ;

ftd design strength of the masonry to principal tensional efforts (D.4)

(3) Strength of an unreinforced masonry wall is equal with the shear force associated to the strength
in eccentric compression if the shear force value Vf1 from (D.5) is smaller than the shear force Vf2
from (D.6).
(4) The walls that satisfy the (3) requirements are defined as walls with ductile behavior (ductile
walls).
(5) Strength of an unreinforced masonry wall is equal with the resistance to shear force if the value of
Vf2 shear force from (D.6) is smaller than the value of the Vf1 shear force from (D.5).
(6) The walls that satisfy the (5) requirements are defined as walls with brittle behavior (brittle walls).

Degree of safety on embrasure transversal direction

width thickness
Embrasure N [kN] V [kN] Vf1 [kN] Vf21 [kN] Vf22 [kN] Vfmin [kN] R3i
[m] [m]
T1 12,5 0,3 1692,614 1620,397 3391,799 626,515 382,684 382,684 0,236
T2 5 0,3 748,388 604,404 531,650 271,745 160,580 160,580 0,266
T3 5 0,3 747,868 617,606 531,777 271,590 160,526 160,526 0,260
T4 5 0,3 760,802 631,631 528,401 275,423 161,850 161,850 0,256
T5 5 0,3 760,608 644,975 528,454 275,365 161,830 161,830 0,251
T6 5 0,3 764,996 657,049 527,214 276,665 162,277 162,277 0,247
T7 5 0,3 765,526 672,096 527,061 276,822 162,331 162,331 0,242
T8 5 0,3 769,177 673,592 525,986 277,904 162,702 162,702 0,242
T9 5 0,3 772,774 693,286 524,894 278,970 163,066 163,066 0,235
T10 5 0,3 785,507 635,226 520,762 282,743 164,349 164,349 0,259
T11 7,5 0,3 1178,721 1078,803 1171,479 424,251 246,570 246,570 0,229
 T12 5 0,3 785,405 635,355 520,797 282,713 164,339 164,339 0,259
T13 7,5 0,3 1178,433 1079,420 1171,627 424,165 246,541 246,541 0,228
width thickness
Embrasure N [kN] V [kN] Vf1 [kN] Vf21 [kN] Vf22 [kN] Vfmin [kN] R3i
[m] [m]
T14 5 0,3 769,161 673,792 525,991 277,899 162,700 162,700 0,241
T15 5 0,3 772,743 693,500 524,903 278,961 163,063 163,063 0,235
T16 5 0,3 765,001 657,342 527,212 276,667 162,278 162,278 0,247
T17 5 0,3 765,528 672,389 527,060 276,823 162,331 162,331 0,241
T18 5 0,3 760,846 631,999 528,388 275,436 161,855 161,855 0,256
T19 5 0,3 760,653 645,346 528,442 275,379 161,835 161,835 0,251
T20 5 0,3 748,658 604,733 531,583 271,824 160,607 160,607 0,266
T21 5 0,3 748,144 617,968 531,710 271,672 160,555 160,555 0,260
T22 12,5 0,3 1692,912 1621,148 3391,751 626,603 382,716 382,716 0,236

Degree of safety on embrasure longitudinal direction

width thickness
Embrasure N [kN] V [kN] Vf1 [kN] Vf21 [kN] Vf22 [kN] Vfmin [kN] R3i
[m] [m]
L1 1,6 0,3 201,968 100,120 55,594 75,842 31,583 31,583 0,315
L2 3,2 0,3 432,598 281,322 222,313 160,177 97,890 97,890 0,348
L3 3,2 0,3 439,536 301,105 221,982 162,233 98,636 98,636 0,328
L4 3,2 0,3 441,976 306,339 221,836 162,956 98,897 98,897 0,323
L5 3,2 0,3 443,121 309,480 221,763 163,295 99,019 99,019 0,320
L6 8,2 0,3 1175,613 1017,753 1447,369 430,330 257,979 257,979 0,253
L9 3,2 0,3 443,113 313,571 221,763 163,293 99,018 99,018 0,316
L10 3,2 0,3 441,978 313,554 221,836 162,956 98,897 98,897 0,315
L11 3,2 0,3 439,563 312,235 221,981 162,241 98,639 98,639 0,316
L12 3,2 0,3 432,617 298,649 222,312 160,183 97,892 97,892 0,328
L13 1,6 0,3 202,071 142,546 55,596 75,873 31,590 31,590 0,222
L14 1,9 0,3 271,174 180,014 77,782 99,348 39,765 39,765 0,221
L15 3,8 0,3 603,289 464,865 299,109 216,752 125,537 125,537 0,270
L16 3,8 0,3 615,899 487,105 295,437 220,489 126,790 126,790 0,260
L17 3,8 0,3 587,740 466,531 303,077 212,145 123,974 123,974 0,266
L18 3,8 0,3 626,078 483,421 292,177 223,505 127,793 127,793 0,264
L19 2,1 0,3 353,311 229,333 87,814 125,685 49,936 49,936 0,218
L20 2,1 0,3 353,265 216,156 87,824 125,671 49,933 49,933 0,231
L21 3,8 0,3 626,060 489,888 292,183 223,499 127,791 127,791 0,261
L22 3,6 0,3 587,748 476,275 263,892 210,147 120,538 120,538 0,253
L23 3,8 0,3 615,946 504,815 295,423 220,502 126,795 126,795 0,251
L25 1,9 0,3 270,736 222,834 77,808 99,218 39,734 39,734 0,178
L26 1,9 0,3 271,146 177,531 77,783 99,340 39,763 39,763 0,224
L27 3,8 0,3 604,470 461,048 298,782 217,102 125,655 125,655 0,273
L24 3,8 0,3 603,176 495,782 299,140 216,719 125,526 125,526 0,253
 L28 3,8 0,3 618,287 485,025 294,696 221,196 127,026 127,026 0,262
L29 3,8 0,3 591,444 464,019 302,188 213,243 124,348 124,348 0,268
width thickness
Embrasure N [kN] V [kN] Vf1 [kN] Vf21 [kN] Vf22 [kN] Vfmin [kN] R3i
[m] [m]
L30 3,8 0,3 632,729 478,227 289,903 225,475 128,444 128,444 0,269
L31 2,1 0,3 360,922 224,918 86,196 127,940 50,451 50,451 0,224
L32 2,1 0,3 360,862 213,000 86,209 127,922 50,447 50,447 0,237
L33 3,8 0,3 632,700 502,568 289,914 225,467 128,441 128,441 0,256
L34 3,6 0,3 591,444 484,745 262,758 211,243 120,902 120,902 0,249
L35 3,8 0,3 618,329 473,632 294,683 221,209 127,030 127,030 0,268
L36 3,8 0,3 604,354 491,892 298,815 217,068 125,643 125,643 0,255
L37 1,9 0,3 270,709 220,351 77,809 99,210 39,732 39,732 0,180
L38 1,6 0,3 201,220 95,210 55,581 75,621 31,527 31,527 0,331
L39 3,2 0,3 431,010 273,595 222,372 159,707 97,719 97,719 0,357
L40 3,2 0,3 437,466 293,490 222,094 161,620 98,414 98,414 0,335
L41 3,2 0,3 439,675 298,006 221,974 162,274 98,651 98,651 0,331
L42 3,2 0,3 442,683 295,042 221,791 163,165 98,972 98,972 0,335
L43 1,6 0,3 222,078 144,536 55,423 81,801 33,043 33,043 0,229
L44 1,9 0,3 280,965 190,501 77,075 102,249 40,445 40,445 0,212
L45 1,95 0,3 288,144 214,983 81,204 104,876 41,495 41,495 0,193
L46 1,6 0,3 222,036 117,857 55,425 81,789 33,040 33,040 0,280
L47 3,2 0,3 442,664 297,036 221,793 163,160 98,970 98,970 0,333
L48 3,2 0,3 439,679 303,699 221,974 162,275 98,651 98,651 0,325
L49 3,2 0,3 437,497 303,328 222,092 161,629 98,417 98,417 0,324
L50 3,2 0,3 431,040 289,811 222,371 159,716 97,722 97,722 0,337
L51 1,6 0,3 201,323 137,077 55,583 75,651 31,535 31,535 0,230

4.2 Degree of safety on structure

(7) R31 indicator is computed for every wall and every direction with:

.
R 3 = (D.14)
,

Where:

Vcap,I the capable shear force of the i wall ( expressed by the smallest value between V fd and Vff)

(7) R3 indicator for the building ensemble, on each direction, is computed:

+

R3 = (D.15)

the sum of the strength capability of the ductile walls

 the sum of the strength capability of the brittle walls

In the sums the strength capabilities of the walls are introduced with:

, (, ) = 0 3, < 0.5;

, (, ) 1,5 ,

Safety degree of the structure

Direction R3i R3
Longitudinal 0,274
0,267
Transversal 0,259