Probabilistic Model Framework for the Design of Structural Masonry.

Authors

Nebojsa Mojsilovic and Michael H. Faber

Abstract

Masonry construction is a traditional, widely used, extremely flexible and economical construction method with considerable potential for future developments. Compared to other construction materials and measured by the turnover in Switzerland, masonry ranks second after concrete. However, conventional masonry design practice is conservative, particularly in regard to the assessment of material properties and its components. Hence, the potential of masonry has not yet been exhausted and there is a clear need for better utilization. In the recent past structural reliability methods have been further developed, refined and adopted and have now reached the stage where they are being applied in practical engineering problems as a support tool for design and assessment of structures. Over the last 30-40 years efforts conducted within the Joint Committee on Structural Safety (JCSS) has resulted in the development of a Probabilistic Model Code (JCSS, 2006) enhancing the probability based design of structures of steel, concrete and very recently also timber materials (Köhler, 2007). The development of a part covering masonry structures is still to be done. The present paper aims to assess and discuss the basis for the development of a probabilistic model code for masonry structures and provides recommendations for the directions of future work in this area. While dealing with unreinforced masonry the conclusions could be easily extended to reinforced masonry.

Published in/by

Proceedings EM08, Inaugural International Mechanics Institute Conference, Minneapolis, USA, May 18-21, 2008.