Problem Assignment - URM Shear Walls
Part A: Determine the horizontal load, H (in kips), permitted by the 2016 TMS 402 code for the unreinforced masonry shear wall shown. The wall is a single story cantilever as shown with a height of 9'-4". The wall is constructed using 8" concrete masonry units with a compressive strength equal to 2000 psi. The wall is grouted solid but no reinforcement is placed in either the vertical or horizontal directions. Mortar is Type N with Portland Cement. The wall is subjected to a gravity compressive stress due to dead load equal to 75 psi that is applied at the top of wall as shown.
Part B: Determine an allowable value of horizontal load for the shear wall if tensile strength of the masonry is neglected entirely, and post-cracking behavior is assumed. Consider a limiting compressive ledge stress equal to the allowable value for axial stress per the 2013 MSJC code. Comment on how the shear capacity might be checked.