An Evaluation of Masonry Joint Shear Strength in Existing Buildings

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There are many existing buildings of unreinforced masonry throughout the country which are in need of repair or strengthening to extend their lives in an economical and cost-effective manner. An important factor in the strength evaluation process is the existing resistance of the bed joints of the masonry units which are being subjected to the forces of the weight above the bed joint in conjunction with the sliding resistance of the mortar layer. This research project will investigate the fundamental strength and deformation characteristics of unreinforced masonry bed joints. The study will include considerations of the influence of perpendicular loads in conjunction with the sliding deformations and degradation of shear strength of the mortar between units when subjected to dynamci cyclic loadings simulating wind or earthquake motions.