SEDL / STP / STP1356-EB / STP14205S

The Importance of Testing to Evaluate the Effect Masonry Walls Have on High-Rise Building Stiffness

Weinstein1, JS
Senior Vice President, LZA Technology, New York, NY

Hostetler, WA
Project Director, LZA Technology, New York, NY

Pages: 9    Published: Jan 1999

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Abstract

A structural investigation was undertaken to evaluate the stiffening effect that unreinforced masonry core walls have on an existing high-rise building. Numerous unknowns about the masonry walls made it difficult to meaningfully apply to the study information available in the literature about typical masonry construction and strengths. A testing program, which consisted of an on-site investigation, in-place tests on representative masonry walls, and laboratory tests on representative masonry units and mortar joints, was implemented to evaluate the masonry directly. In conjunction with structural analysis, the testing program played a crucial role in determining that the masonry walls do indeed add substantial stiffness to the building.