Open AccessUnreinforced masonry structures
Author(s) -
Adrian Page
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
bulletin of the new zealand society for earthquake engineering/nzsee quarterly bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.917
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2324-1543
pISSN - 1174-9857
DOI - 10.5459/bnzsee.29.4.242-255
Subject(s) - unreinforced masonry building , masonry , induced seismicity , ductility (earth science) , engineering , structural engineering , forensic engineering , civil engineering , materials science , creep , composite material
Unreinforced masonry is widely used in Australia as an architectural and structural material. Because of its high mass, lack of ductility and low tensile strength it is unsuitable for use in areas of high seismicity. However in countries of lower seismicity such as Australia it can be used provided it is designed, detailed and constructed correctly. This paper provides an overview of the use of unreinforced masonry in Australia and discusses the impact of the new seismic loading provisions on existing practice. It is shown that unreinforced masonry can still be used in most instances provided the correct design and detailing techniques are used and the requirements of the appropriate masonry standards implemented.