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The Structural Engineer, Volume 83, Issue 12, 2005
The transverse lateral load capacity of masonry built using solid dense concrete blocks with thin joint mortar is up to 4.0 times that of similar blockwork constructed using conventional mortar. Both the mortar properties and the constituents of the parent material forming the block alter the joint strength resulting in enhancements to tensile flexural bond strength. Testing on two block types and one mortar has been undertaken and verifies the trend. Essentially when thin joint technology is employed, in conjunction with solid dense concrete blocks, the masonry behaves more as a concrete plate than conventional blockwork. A. N. Fried, BSc (Civ) Eng, MSc, PhD, CEng, MICE, FBMS School of Engineering, Kingston University, London E. Marrocchino, PhD Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy C. Bradsell, BSc (Hons) School of Engineering, Kingston University, London Prof. John J. Roberts, BSc(Eng), PhD, CEng, FIStructE, FICE, FBMS, FIMgt, MICT Faculty of Technology, Kingston University, London
The events in recent years of total or partial destruction of large buildings as a result of accidental abnormal loadings have created a new challenge for the structural engineering community. The challenge is to ensure that catastrophic collapse of structures can be avoided while designing the structure primarily for normal loadings and economy. The principle is based on utilising the ultimate strength of the structure and its ability in redistributing abnormal loads so that any accidental damage will not be disproportionate to the cause. This paper examines the current design approaches available to the designers, principally the recent Building Regulations in UK and in particular elaborating the mechanism of tying approach in fulfilling this goal. Also common approaches found in the US are briefly reviewed. Medhi M. Khabbazan, BSc, MSc, PhD, CEng, MIStructE, FASCE Kellogg Brown & Root UK Ltd. (KBR)