Introduction to Masonry Shear Walls

Gohar Zaman Ref; Seismic design of RC and Masonry Buildings by T. Paulay and M.J.N. Priestley

Shear Walls
A wall that resist lateral wind and earthquake loads acting parallel to the plane of the wall in addition to gravity loads from the floors and roof adjacent to the walls

Aspect ratio; H/L < 2

H/L > 3

Masonry Shear Walls Classification

Elastic Walls
Low rise Buildings. Respond in fully elastic mode.

Rocking Walls
Lateral response capacity restricted by simple statics to overturning capacity.

Ductile Walls
Squat walls may not be designed to respond elastically to the design seismic forces. Considerable ductility may be needed to be developed.

Response to Seismic demand

A significant proportion of the horizontal shear produced at the top of the cantilever shear wall is transmitted by diagonal compression directly to the foundation. Relative dimensions, boundary conditions and the way shear forces are introduced in the walls, significantly effects the shear resistance mechanism.

Failure Mechanisms
Diagonal tension failure
Inadequate longitudinal reinforcement.

Diagonal compression failure

Due to high Shear demand. Crushing and transverse tensile cracks.

Shear sliding failure

With sufficient reinforcement and Shear Capacity. Subsequent inelastic deformation reversals causing cracks along a horizontal plan. Dowel action by vertical reinforcement limits the horizontal shear displacement.