E. Brehm¹, J. E. Dickie ² and S. L. Lissel ³

1. Research associate, PhD candidate, Institute for Concrete and Masonry Structures, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Petersenstr. 12, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany, brehm@massivbau.tu-darmstadt.de
2. PhD student, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Calgary,2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
3. Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Calgary

ABSTRACT

Masonry shear walls are the major lateral load-carrying elements in masonry structures. Due to the fact that failure of the member might directly be followed by collapse of the structure, reliability analysis of masonry walls subjected to in-plane shear is important. Nevertheless, reliability of these members has not been subjected to extensive research due to the complex load-carrying behaviour. In this paper, an approach for the assessment of the reliability of masonry walls subjected to in-plane shear using analytical models is examined. An example wall is designed according to Canadian codes and subsequently analysed using probabilistic methods. The reliability of the wall will be determined and a parameter study will be performed. In the last step, partial safety factors for the safe design of masonry walls subjected to in-plane shear will be recommended.

KEYWORDS: in-plane shear, masonry, reliability, stochastic analysis

B3-2