Structural Masonry

Abstract

This course focuses on the design and analysis of masonry in contempory construction, based on the procedures commonly applied in Swiss engineering practice.

Objective

Technical Competencies • Basic understanding of the structural behaviour of masonry • Familiarity with essential modelling concepts for the analysis of masonry structures • Application of modelling strategies, structural design, and detailing of masonry structures • Modelling and assessment of hybrid load-bearing of masonry and reinforced concrete structures Methodological Competencies • Fundamental design procedures • Selection and application of appropriate analysis and design methods Personal Competencies • Critical evaluation of structural analysis results

Content

Masonry Structures: Types of masonry construction; fundamentals of load transfer; material properties of masonry; fundamental approaches for the design of masonry; comparison with the load-bearing behaviour of reinforced concrete; materials and standards for masonry construction. Numerical Modelling: Design principles; numerical modelling; force-based methods for determining equivalent forces; modelling of hybrid structures consisting of masonry and reinforced concrete; determination and distribution of equivalent forces on shear walls; verification and plausibility checks of analysis results. Load-bearing Behaviour of Masonry: Basic load-bearing behaviour under relevant types of load combinations (in-plane and out-of-plane); phenomenological analysis based on experiments and its adaptation into fundamental modelling concepts for design. Design of Masonry: Ultimate Limit State and Serviceability Limit State according to SIA 266; requirements for structural detailing and their implementation in structural modelling; general code requirements for seismic design. The course content is further supported with hands-on activities and guided self-study exercises. Additionally, a practical exercise in the construction lab allows students to independently build a masonry wall.

Resources