CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY AND

MASONRY STRUCTURE

Chapter 8: Design of Masonry Walls for Gravity Loads

8.1 Introduction to codal provision

8.1.1 NBC 109:1994 (Load Bearing Masonry)

Requirements

• Minimum Thickness of wall should be 230 mm

• Appropriate horizontal or vertical support such as cross walls or buttress should be provided to the walls.

• Slenderness ratio (λ)= minimum of (h/t) or (l/t) where h is height, l is length and t is the thickness of element

For cement mortar,

λ for load bearing column ≯ 12

λ for load bearing wall ≯ 17

• The structural element shall be able to sustain most adverse combination of loads which the building is expected to
be subjected during its construction or design life.
8.1.2 NBC 202 Guideline /Mandatory Rule of Thumb (MRT)
This guideline approach the minimum level of safety but the detail design is always
recommended.
• Scope of the guideline
 For non engineering building
 Up to 2 storey
 Constructed in cement mortar
 Limited building size: H/B ≤ 3, maximum short span ≤ 3.5m for brick
L/B ≤ 3, maximum short span ≤ 3.2m for stone
Maximum room size = 12.5 m2
• Material for construction
a. Reinforcement bar Fe 250, HYSD 415, HYSD 500 Ductility ≥ 14.5%
b. Concrete grade =M20, (C:S:CA=1:1.5:3), w/c ≤ 0.6
c. Brick strength ≮ 3.5 MPa
d. Mortar ( C:S=1:6)
e. Plaster (1:6), Strength ≮ 3 MPa, Minimum thickness =10mm
Special Consideration for earthquake resistance design
a. Site for construction: Avoid site having risk of flooding, landslide, rock fall,
swamp area, risk of liquefaction, having not near to active fault, weak soil, etc.
b. Opening in wall:
i. b1+b +b < 0.5 L for one storey
2 3 1
< 0.42 L for two-storeyed
1
< 0.33 L for three-storeyed
1
ii. b +b < 0.5 L for one storey
6 7 1
< 0.42 L for two-storeyed
1
< 0.33 L for three-storeyed
1
iii. b > 0.5 h, but not less than 600 mm
4
iv. b > 0.25 h, but not less than 600 mm
5
v. b > 600 mm and > 0.5 (bigger of b and b )
3 2 9
c. Bands and dowels
Following bands should be provided:
• Foundation band (for weak soil)
• Plinth Band ( works as DPC )
• Sill Band
• Stitch Band (dowel) at corners and junctions
• Lintel Band
• Roof Band
• Gable Band

Figure : Gable Band and Roof Band in Barrack-Type Buildings

d. Vertical Reinforcement
e. Through Stones
 Design of Masonry Walls for Gravity Loads
a. Permissible Compressive Stresses
The permissible compressive stresses shall be in accordance with the Indian Standard IS : 1905-
1987 in which the design value of permissible compressive stress, fc , depends on a combination
of the following factors:
i. basic compressive stress based on type and strength of the masonry units and mix of mortar, fb
ii. factor for slenderness ratio and eccentricity of masonry elements, kse
iii. factor for shape and size of the masonry unit, kp
iv. factor for cross-sectional area of masonry, ka and
v. factor for load type, kl so that fc= fb kse kp ka kl
The values of the basic compressive stresses and the various
factors are given in IS : 1905-1987, clause 5 and its sub clauses.
fb is the basic compressive stress based on type and strength of the masonry units
and mix of mortar
Kse is stress reduction factor, determined based on slenderness ratio and
eccentricity of load (Table 9 of IS 1905:1987)
Kp is shape modification facto, depending on (H/W) ratio of masonry unit & its
110 90
strength
H/W = 0.5 90
55
290
190 H/W = 1.0
 Ka is area modification factor
2
Ka = 1.0 for A ≥ 0.2 m
2
Ka = (0.7+1.5A) for A < 0.2 m
Depends on X-sectional area of masonary.

This factor takes into consideration smallness of the sectional area of the element
and is applicable when sectional area of the element is less than 0.2 m2.
The factor, k, = 0.7 + 1.5 A, A being the area of section in m2
KL is load type factor ( eccentricity factor ) p

𝑒 1
Kl = 1 for < e
𝑡 24

1 𝑒 1
Kl = 1.25 for ≤ ≤
24 𝑡 6
t
𝑒 1
Kl = 1.75 for >
𝑡 6

But area of tension zone shall be neglected Clause 5.4.1.4 of I.S. 1905:1987
𝑒
Eccentricity ratio =
𝑡  Slenderness ratio
𝑝 𝑒
Fmax or ≥ σmax = ∗ (1 + 6 ∗ ) 1) Load bearing 27, 2) Non load bearing 30, 10
𝑡 𝑡
for curtain & free standing 3) Column 12
Where p is in load per water  Load factor
𝑒 1 2𝑝 1, 1.25, 1.5 for axial, bending & localized
For > for Fmax =
3∗(
𝑒
𝑡 6
𝑡
− e)
b. Permissible Tensile Stress (Clause 5.4.2)
 For direct tension
permissible tensile stress = 0
 For bending tension ( flexural tension )
i. in vertical direction
M1 mortar 0.07N/mm2
M2 mortar 0.05N/mm2 (for 10Mpa brick)
ii. In Horizontal direction
M1 mortar 0.14N/mm2
M2 mortar 0.10N/mm2 (for 7.5Mpa brick)
c. Permissible shear Stress (Clause 5.4.3)
 For M1 or strong mortar
permissible shear stress
𝑓𝑑
fs = ( 0.1 + 6
) Mpa Where fs ≯ 0.5Mpa

Fd = compressive stress due to dead load (Mpa)

Note:- Area under tension shall be neglected while calculating shear stress.
 TABLE 5 FFECTIVE LENGTH OF WALL
S CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT ( See FIG. 13 ) EFFECTIV
N E LENGTH

1 Where ‘a wall is continuous and is supported by cross wall_, and there is no opening 0.8 L
within a distance of H/8 from the face of cross wall OR
Where a wall is continuous and is supported by piers

2 Where a wall is supported by a cross wall at one end and continuous with cross wall 0.9L
at other end OR
Where a wall is supported by a pier/ buttress at one end and continuous with
pier/buttress at other end conforming to 4.2.1.2 (b)

3 Where a wall is supported at each end by cross wall OR 1.0L

Where a wall is supported at each en& by a pier/buttress conforming to 4.2.1.2(b)
S CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT ( See FIG. 13 ) FFECTIVE
N LENGTH

4 Where a wall is free at one end and continuous with a cross wall at the other end 1.5 L
OR
Where a wall is free at one end and continuous with a pier/buttress at the other
end conforming to 4.2.1.2 (b)

5 Where a wall is free at one end and supported at the other end by a cross wall OR 2.0 L
Where a wall is free at one end and supported at the other end by a pier/ buttress
conforming to 4.2.1.2 (b)
where , H = actual height of wall between centres of adequate lateral support
L = length of wall from or between centres of cross wall, piers or buttresses.
Note- -In case there is an opening taller than 0.5 H in a wall, ends of the wall at the opening shall be
considered as free.
Effective length, height and thickness of wall
 TABLE 4 EFFECTIVE HEIGHT OF WALLS (Clause 4.3.1 )
SN CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT EFFECTIVE
HEIGHT

1 Lateral as well as rotational restraint (that is, full restraint) at top and bottom. For 0.75 L
example, when the floor/roof spans on the walls so that reaction to load of
floor/roof is provided by the walls, or when an RCC floor/roof has bearing on the
wall (minimum 9 cm ), irrespective of the direction of the span ( foundation
footings of a wall give lateral as well as rotational restraint)

2 Lateral as well as rotational restraint ( that is, full restraint ) at one end and only 0.85L
lateral restraint ( that is, partial restraint) at the other. For example, RCC floor/roof
at one end spanning or adequately bearing on the wall and timber floor/roof not
spanning on wall, but adequately anchored to it, on the other end.
 TABLE 4 EFFECTIVE HEIGHT OF WALLS (Clause 4.3.1 )
SN CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT EFFECTIVE
HEIGHT

3 Lateral restraint, without rotational restraint ( that is, partial restraint ) on 1.0 L
both ends. For example, timber floor/roof, not spanning on the wall but
adequately anchored to it on both ends of the wall, that is, top and bottom

4 Lateral restraint as well as rotational restraint (that is, full restraint ) at 1.5 L
bottom but have no restraint at the top. For example, parapet walls with
RCC roof having adequate bearing on the lower wall, or a compound wall
with proper foundation on the soil.