Structural safety and reliability of unreinforced masonry shear walls. This project aims to investigate and quantify the role of spatial variability of material properties in the failure behaviour and

Description

Structural safety and reliability of unreinforced masonry shear walls. This project aims to investigate and quantify the role of spatial variability of material properties in the failure behaviour and safety of unreinforced masonry shear walls. In masonry buildings, shear walls provide the primary means for safely resisting lateral loads due to wind and earthquake. Failure of the shear walls can result in building collapse causing injuries and death and significant economy losses. Through experimental testing and numerical modelling the project will enable improved techniques for the assessment and design of masonry walls which account, for the first time, for the influence that spatial variability of material properties has in determining the failure behaviour and capacity of masonry shear walls. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 0905 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Prof Mark Masia