Damage of Infill Masonry Walls due to Vertical Loads in Buildings with Reinforced Concrete Structure

Buildings are subjected to deformations of their reinforced concrete structure due to vertical loads that can lead, in certain cases, to the significant cracking of the unreinforced masonry (URM) infill walls, therefore requiring the development of specific knowledge of these types of deformations in order to minimise them. Aiming the evaluation of buildings with reinforced concrete structures subjected to vertical deformations, the mechanical characteristics of their infill masonry walls, as well as of their interface with the supporting concrete elements, are here analysed. The basic compression behaviour of brick masonry is assessed particularly through the previous analysis of a vertical compression test of a masonry specimen. The mechanical behaviour characteristics of the constituents (bricks, and mortar joints) are analysed to account for their influence on the compression behaviour of masonry infill, aiming particularly for the prevision of their cracking in case of vertical deformations of the supporting reinforced concrete (RC) elements. Based on that evaluation, the analysis of masonry walls subjected to vertical deformations of their supports is made through the assessment of the relevant characteristic behaviour of masonry wall-beam/slab assembly in case of vertical load. A general modelling approach of the behaviour of URM infills and the interaction with their supports is generally accessed. Finally, the preventive control of deformations of masonry wall-beam/slab assembly is discussed.