Structural Dynamics

&

Earthquake
Engineering-2722010
Dr. Siddharth G. Shah
Head & Associate Professor
Faculty of PG studies & Research
MEFGI-Rajkot

Earthquake resistant
features of masonry
structures

Lightness
Since the earthquake force is a function of
mass, the building shall be as light as possible
consistent with structural safety and
functional
requirements. Roofs and upper storeys of
buildings, in particular, should be designed as
light as possible.

Continuity of Construction
As far as possible, the parts of the
building should be tied together in such a
manner that the building acts as one unit.

Projecting and Suspended Parts

Projecting parts shall be avoided as far as
possible. If the projecting parts cannot be
avoided, they shall be properly reinforced and
firmly tied to the main structure, and their
design shall be in accordance with
IS 1893 : 1984

Building Configuration
In order to minimize torsion and stress
Concentration, plan of building should be simple
geometric shape like square, rectangular or
circle be symmetrical both with
respect to mass and rigidity so that the centers
of mass and rigidity of the building coincide
with each other in which case no separation
sections other than expansion joints are
necessary

Building Configuration
If symmetry of the structure is not possible in plan,
elevation or mass, provision shall be made for
torsional and other effects due to earthquake forces
in the structural design or the parts of different
rigidities may be separated through crumple
sections. The
length of such building between separation
sections shall not preferably exceed three times
the width.

Building Configuration
As an alternative to separation section to
reduce torsional moments, the centre of
rigidity of the building may be brought
close or coincident to the centre of mass by
adjusting the locations and/or sizes of
columns and walls.

Building Configuration
Buildings having plans with shapes like,
L, T, E and Y shall preferably be separated
into
rectangular parts by providing separation
sections at appropriate places.

IS 13828:1993
Improving Earthquake Resistance of Low
Strength Masonry Buildings-Guidelines

Two types of constructions are included herein, namely

a) Brick construction using weak mortar and
b) Random rubble and half-dressed stone masonry
construction using different mortars such as clay mud
lime-sand and cement sand.
Precautions should be taken to keep the rain water
away from soaking into the wall so that the mortar is not
softened due to wetness. An effective way is to take out
roof projections beyond the walls by about 500mm.
Use of water-proof plaster on outside face of walls will
enhance the life of the building and maintain its strength
at the time of earthquake as well.

Stone Masonry (Random Rubble or Half-Dressed)

The mortar should be cement-sand (1:6), lime sand
(1:3) or clay mud of good quality.
The wall thickness t should not be larger than
450mm. Preferably it should be about 350mm, and
the stones on the inner and outer wythes should be
interlocked with each other.
Height of the stone masonry walls should be restricted
as follows, with storey height to be kept 3 m
maximum, and span of walls between cross walls to
be limited to 5 m.

For convenience of constructions, builders prefer to

make a toothed joint, which is many times left
hollow and weak.
To obtain full bond it is necessary to make a
sloping (stepped) joint by making the corners first
to a height of 600mm and then building the wall in
between them otherwise, the toothed joint should
be made in both the walls alternately in lifts of
about 45cm

Typical detail of Masonry

1. Openings to be located away front the inside corner by a clear

distance equal to at least 1/4 of the height of openings but not
less than 60cm.
2. The total length of openings not to exceed 50 % of the length
of the wall between consecutive cross walls in single storey
construction, 42 % in two storey construction and 33 % in
three storey buildings.
3. The horizontal distance (pier width) between two openings to
be not less than 1/2. or the height of the shorter opening but
not less than 60cm.
4. The vertical distance from an opening to an opening directly
above it not to be less than 60cm nor less than 1/2 of the width
of the smaller opening.
5. When the openings do not comply with requirements 1 to 4,
they should either be boxed in reinforced concrete all around
or reinforcing bars provided at the jambs through the Masonry.

Recommendation regarding openings in bearing walls

Size and positioning of openings

Strengthening measures for Low strength masonry

buildings

General Recommendations
The height of the construction should be restricted to
one storey of Category I and II buildings and two
storeys of categories III and IV buildings. The height
of a storey should be kept as low as 2.5m but not
more than 3.5m.
The minimum wall thickness shall be one brick in
one storey construction and one brick in top storey
and 1 brick in bottom storey of up to three storey
construction. It should also not be less than 1/16 of
the length of wall between two consecutive
perpendicular walls.
The unsupported length of a wall between cross
walls should be limited to 7m.

For longer walls, buttresses should be used at

intermediate points not farther apart than 3m. The size
of buttress may be kept as: thickness = top width = t
and base width = h/6 where t. = thickness of wall and h
= actual all height.
The mortar should be lime-sand (1:3) or clay mud of
good quality. Where horizontal steel is used between
courses, cement-sand mortar (1:3) should be used
with thickness so as to cover the steel with 6mm
mortar above and below it.
Openings should be as small and as centrally located
as practicable.

GTU QUESTIONS
1. Discuss in detail the advantage of
horizontal bands and vertical
reinforcement in the masonry buildings.
2. Explain failures of masonry structures observed
in past earthquakes & how will you improve
performance of masonry building.
3. Earthquake resisting features of unreinforced
brick masonry structure.
4. Explain the earthquake resistance feature of
masonary structures