MAHALAKSHMI

ENGINEERING COLLEGE
TIRUCHIRAPALLI - 621213.

QUESTION BANK WITH ANSWER

DEPARTMENT: CIVIL SEMESTER: 07
SUBJECT CODE /NAME: CE 2401/DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE AND BRICK
MASONDRY STRUCTURES
YEAR: IV
UNIT V – BRICK MASONRY
Introduction, classifications of walls, lateral supports and stability, effective height of
walls and columns, effective length of walls, design loads, load dispersion, permissible
stresses, design of axially and eccentrically loaded brick walls.
PART - A (2 marks)
1. What is effective length of brick wall when the wall is continuous? (AUC May/Jun 2013)
The effective length of the wall is continuous=0.8L
2. What is the allowable compressive stress in brick masonry? (AUC May/Jun 2013)
Permissible compressive stress in masonry shall be based on the value of basic
compressive stress as given in table 8 and multiplying this value by factor known as
o Stress reduction factor
o Area reduction factor
o Shape modification factor
3. How the brick masonry walls are classified? (AUC Nov/Dec 2011)
o Load bearing wall
o Non load bearing wall
4. How will you determine the permissible stress in masonry? (AUC Nov/Dec 2011)
(AUC May/Jun 2012)
Permissible compressive stress in masonry shall be based on the value of basic
compressive stress as given in table 8 (IS: 1905-1987) and multiplying this value by factor
known as stress reduction factor (ks),area reduction factor (ka) and shape modification factor (kp)
as detailed in 5.4.1.1 to 5.4.1.3.
5. What is mean by slenderness ratio of a masonry wall? (AUC Nov/Dec 2012)
The slenderness ratio of a masonry wall is defined as the effective height divided by the
effective thickness or its effective length divided by the effective thickness, whichever is less.
6. Name the various types of masonry walls used in building construction.
(AUC Nov/Dec 2012) (AUC May/Jun 2012)
o Partition walls
o Party walls
o Separating walls
7. Obtain the stress reduction factor for an eccentrically loaded masonry member with
slenderness ratio of 12 and eccentricity to thickness ratio of 1/12. (AUC Nov/Dec 2013)
From table 9 (IS: 1905-1987) stress reduction factor for slenderness ratio and
eccentricity. The stress reduction factor for slenderness ratio is 12 and eccentricity is 1/12 is
0.81.

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8. Why is it intended to limit the slenderness of the load bearing masonry wall?
(AUC Nov/Dec 2013)
Load bearing masonry walls the slenderness ratio is the important design criteria, so to
limit we limit the slenderness of the load bearing wall.
9. What is cross sectional area of Masonry unit?
Net cross sectional area of a masonry unit shall be taken as the gross cross sectional
area minus the area of cellular space. Gross cross sectional area of cored units shall be
determined to the outside of the coring but cross sectional area of groves shall not be deducted
from the gross cross sectional area to obtain the net cross sectional area.

10. What is bond in brick masonry?

Arrangements of masonry units in successive courses to tie the masonry together both
longitudinally and transversely the arrangement is usually worked out to ensure that no vertical
joint of one course is exactly over the one in the next course above or below it, and there is
maximum possible amount of lap.

11. How will you calculating effective length, effective height and effective thickness?
The height of a wall to be column to be considered slenderness ratio. The length of a wall
to be column to be considered slenderness ratio. The thickness of a wall or column to be
considered for calculating slenderness ratio.

12. What meant by lateral support?

A support which enables a masonry element to resist lateral and/or restrains lateral
deflection of a masonry element at the point of support.

13. What is the slenderness ratio for walls?

For a wall, Slenderness ration shall be effective height divided by effective thickness or
effective length divided by the effective thickness is less.

14. What is the slenderness ratio for walls and columns?

For column slenderness ration shall be taken to be the greater of the ratios of effective
heights to the respective effective thickness in the two principal directions. Slenderness ratio for
a load-bearing column shall not exceed 12.

15. What is slenderness ratio in brick masonry structures?

In brick masonry structures, for a wall slenderness ratio shall be the effective height divided
by the effective thickness or effective length divided by the effective thickness whichever is less.

16. What is slenderness ratio in brick column masonry structures?

For a column slenderness ratio shall be taken to be the greater of the ratios of effective
height s to the respective effective thickness in the two principal directions. Slenderness ratio of
a load-bearing column shall not exceed 12.

17. What is reinforced brick work?

Reinforced brickwork is a typical type of construction in which the compressive strength
of bricks is utilized to bear the compressive stress and steel bars are used to bear the tensile
stresses in the slab.

18. What is the thickness adopted for reinforced brick slab?

The thickness of slab may be kept as 100mm to 200mm.

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 PART-B (16 MARKS)
1. Determine the allowable axial load on the column of size 30cmx60cm constructed with
first class brick work in 1:6 cement mortar using modular bricks size of 200x100x200,
height of pier between the footing and tough slab 5.1m strength of unit may be taken as
10Mpa. (AUC Nov/Dec 2013)
Data:
Column size=300x600mm
Height of pier=5.1m
Strength of unit=10N/mm2
Cement mortar=1:6
Step-1
Effective height of column=1.00H (from page no 11 table 4 (IS: 1905-1987)
=1.0X5.1
= 5.1m
Step-2
Basic compressive stress (from page no 16 table 8 (IS: 1905-1987)
From table no 1 the grade of mortar was confirmed to M2
Basic compressive stress=0.81N/mm2

Step-3
Area reduction factor=300x600
=180000mm2=0.18m2 (from page no 16)
Ka=0.7+1.5A
=0.7+1.5(0.18)
=0.97

Step-4
Shape modification factor (from page no 16)
Height to width ratio=200/200=1 (from table 10)
Shape modification factor=1.1
Step-5
Load factor
For axial load=1
For eccentric load=1.2
KL=1 (for axial column)
Step-6
Stress reduction factor (from page no 16 table 9 (IS: 1905-1987)
Slenderness ratio=effective height/least lateral dimension
=5.1/0.3=17
Stress reduction factor=0.7
Step-7
Fca=fbx Kax Kpx KLX Ksf
=0.81x0.97x1.1x1x0.7
=0.604N/mm2
Axial load
Fca=P/A
P= FcaXA
=0.604X(300X600)
=108.72kN

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2. A column of size 300x550mm constructed in first class brick in 1:6 cement mortar
using modular bricks size of 200x200x100 height of pier between footing and top slab is
4.5m.the strength of the unit may be taken as 10N/mm2 calculate compressive stress for
applied at eccentricity of 100mm. (AUC Nov/Dec 2012)
Data:
Size=300x550mm
Height=4.5m
Strength=10 N/mm2
Cement mortar=1:6
Step-1
Effective height=1x4.5 (from page no 11 table 4 (IS: 1905-1987)
=4.5m
Step-2
Basic compressive stress=0.81 N/mm2

Step-3
Area reduction factor
=300x550=165000mm2=0.165m2 (from page no 16)
Ka=0.7+1.5A
=0.7+1.5(0.165)
=0.94
Step-4
Shape modification factor (from page no 16)
Height to width ratio=200/200=1 (from table 10)
Shape modification factor=1.1
Step-5
Load factor
For axial load=1
For eccentric load=1.2
KL=1.25 (for eccentrically loaded column)
Step-6
Stress reduction factor (from page no 16 table 9 (IS: 1905-1987)
Slenderness ratio=effective height/least lateral dimension
=4.5/0.3=15
Stress reduction factor=0.66
Step-7
Fca=fbx Kax Kpx KLX Ksf
=0.81x0.94x1.1x1x0.66
=0.552N/mm2
3. Design an interior cross wall of two story building to carry 100m thick R.C.C. slab with
3m ceiling height the wall is stiff and it support 2.65m wide salb.the live load on roof and
floor is 1.5kN/m2 and 2 kN/m2 weight of floor finish and lime terrace is 0.2 kN/m2 and
2 kN/m2 adopt crushing strength 10Mpa mortar M1. (AUC May/Jun 2013)
(AUC Nov/Dec 2012)
Data:
No of story=2
Slab thick=100mm
Live load on floor=2 kN/m2
Weight of floor finish=1.5 kN/m2
Weight of lime terrace=2 kN/m2
Crushing strength=10Mpa.

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Step-1
Basic compressive stress
fc=0.96 N/mm2
Step-2
Load calculation
Self weight of roof slab=1x0.1x25=2.5 kN/m2
Live load =1.5 kN/m2
Self weight of floor slab=1x0.1x25=2.5 kN/m2
Live load =2 kN/m2
Weight of lime terrace =0.2 kN/m2
Total load =4.7 kN/m2
Wall adopt thickness of wall=100mm
Weight of wall =1x0.1x3x2x20
=12.
Total load on wall
= (6+4.7) x2.65) +12
=40.35kN/m
Step-3
Effective height
Both ends fixed
Effective height=0.75H
=0.75X3000
=2250mm.
Step-4
Slenderness ratio=effective height/thickness
=2250/100=22.5
From table 7 the max slenderness ratio for two story building should not be greater than 27.
Step-5
Stress reduction factor=0.53 N/mm2
Step-6
Permissible compressive stress
Fac=ksxfc
=0.53x0.96=0.508N/mm2
Actual compressive stress=P/A
=40.3/(1000X100)
=0.403 N/mm2
0.4<0.508
Hence safe

4. Design exterior wall of a building to carry 100mm thick R.C. slab 3m ceiling height
support condition is fixed, live load on roof is 2 kN/m2, adopt crushing strength of brick
units as 10 N/mm2, use M1 mortar. (AUC May/Jun 2013)
Data:
Height=3m
Live load on roof=2 kN/m2
Strength=10 N/mm2
100mm thick R.C. wall
M1 mortar
Step-1
Basic compressive stress=0.96 N/mm2

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Step-2
Load calculations
Self weight=1x0.1x25=2.5 kN/m2
Live load =2 kN/m2
Total load =4.5 kN/m2
Wall thickness=230mm
Self weight =1x0.1x3x2x20=12 kN/m2
Total load=((4.5+4.5)3)+12=39 kN/m
Step-3
Effective height=0.85H=2.550m.
Slenderness ratio=2550/230=11.08<27
Hence safe
Step-4
Stress reduction factor=0.86
Permissible compressive stress=0.86x0.96=0.82 N/mm2
ρ=P/A=39X103/(1000X230)=0.16<0.86
Hence safe
5. Design an exterior wall of two storied building using nominal bricks of
230x100x75mm.the wall supports R.C.C. roof slab of 100mm thick. Clear height of each
floor is 3m.center to center distance between cross wall is 2.8m and continuous along
one direction only, effective width of slab supported by the wall is 1.7m.live load from
roof slab is 1.5 kN/m2 and live load from slab is 2.5 kN/m2. (AUC Nov/Dec 2011)
Data:
Type of brick=nominal brick
Size=230x100x75mm
R.C.C.slab thick=100mm
Clear height=3m
Center to center distance=2.8m
Effective width=1.7m
Live load=1.5 kN/m2
Floor slab live load=2.5 kN/m2
Step-1
Load calculations
Unit weight of brick=20N/m3
Unit weight of R.C.C=25 N/m3
Dead load of brick in ground floor=3x0.23x20=13.8 kN/m
First floor=3x1x0.23x20=13.8 kN/m
Dead load of brick in parapet=1x0.23x20=4.6 kN/m
Dead load of slab per unit area=0.1x1x25=2.5 kN/m2
Assume dead load of floor finish=1 kN/m2
Total dead load in each slab=3.5x2=7 kN/m2
Load from floor slab=3.5+2.5=6 kN/m2
Total load for brick wall=6x1.7=10.2 kN/m
Load from roof slab=3.5+1.5=5 kN/m2
Total load for brick wall=5x1.7=8.5 kN/m
Step-2
Crushing strength of 5Mpa in cement mortar ratio 1:6,M2 grade mortar
fb=0.44
Slenderness ratio=effective length/thichness
Length=2.8m
Effective length=0.9l=0.9x2.8=2.52m

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Effective height=0.75H=0.75x3.05=2.28m
Slenderness ratio=2.52/0.23 (or)2.28/0.23=10
kel=0.89
Step-3
Cross sectional area=1x0.23=0.23m2
The area is greater than0.2m2.
ka=1
Step-4
Shape modification factor=height of brick/width of brick=75/100=0.75
ks=1.0
Step-5
Stress increment factor
ki=1
Step-6
fc=0.44x(0.89x1x1x1)
=0.3916N/mm2
P safe=0.3916x (0.23x1)
=90.068kN.
6. Calculate the safe load carrying capacity of a brick column of size 300x400mm
constructed with nominal bricks of basic compressive strength 10Mpa in CM 1:5.The
column supports a roof truss in one direction. Show that the load is transferred to the
column without eccentricity height of the column from top of foundation to bottom of
roof truss is 2.5m. (AUC May/Jun 2012)
Data:
300x400mm size
CM 1:6
Compressive strength=10MPa
Step-1
fb=0.96N/mm2
Step-2
To find effective height
A column is laterally supported than
xx direction=h=1xH
yy direction=h=1xH
A column is laterally unsupported
xx direction=h=2xH
yy direction=h=2xH
The column is laterally supported
hx=1x2.5=2.5m
hy=2x2.5=5m
Slenderness ratio in x=2500/300=8.3
Slenderness ratio in y=5000/400=12.5
kel=0.825
Step-3
Cross sectional area=300x400=120000mm2=0.12m2
The area is less 0.2m2
ka=0.7+1.5A=0.7+1.5X0.12=0.88
Step-4
Shape modification factor
Height of brick/width of brick=75/100=0.75
Ks=1,ki=1

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 fc=0.96(0.825x0.88x1x1)
=0.726N/mm2
P safe=0.906x400x300
=87.12kN.
7. Calculate the safe axial load for a brick column of size 300x300mm with an effective
height of 3m in both directions. Masonry is made with modular bricks of basic
compressive strength 7.5Mpa in cement mortar ratio 1:6.assign that the load acts without
eccentricity. (AUC May/Jun 2012)
Data:
Size=300x300mm
Effective height=3m
Brick type=modular bricks(200x200x100)
Basic compressive strength=7.5Mpa
Step-1
Safe axial load
P safe=fb(kelxkaxksxki)
Mortar 1:6 fb=0.56
Step-2
Slenderness ratio=effective height/thickness or effective length/thickness
Slenderness=3000/300=10mm
Kel=0.89 from table 9 page no 16
Step-3
Cross sectional area of the column is 300x300=0.09m2
The area is less than 0.2m2
So ka=0.7+1.5A=0.7+1.5X0.09=0.835
Step-4
Shape modification factor
Height of brick/width of brick=200/200=1
Ks=1.1 from table 10 page no 17
Step-5
Stress increment factor
Ki=1
Step-6
fc=0.59(0.89x0.835x1.1x1)
=0.4823N/mm2
P safe=0.4823x(300x300)
=43.407kN.
8. Calculate the allowable compressive stress on a column 30cmx60cm constructed in
first class brick work in 1:6 cement mortar. Using modular brick 200x100x100mm, the
height of the pier between the footing and the top slab is 5.1m.the strength of units may
be assumed as 10Mpa.if the load was applied at an eccentricity of 100mm above the
major axis of bending. (AUC Nov/Dec 2013)
Data:
Size of column=30x60cm
Ratio of mortar=1:6
Grade of mortar=M2
Size of the brick=200x100x200mm
Height of the pier=5.1m
Compressive strength of the brick=10Mpa
Step-1
Compressive stress

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 F=fcxkaxksxkpxkL
To find fc
For mortar M2 and compressive stress 10Mpa
Fc=0.81Mpa
Step-2
Area reduction factor
Area of the column=0.3x0.6=0.18m2
Slenderness ratio=hx/t=5100/300=17
=hy/t=10200/600=17
Take 17 as slenderness ratio
e=100mm
e/t=100/600=0.1667
refer table no 9 page no 16
for slenderness ratio=17 and e/t=0.1667
ks=0.4645
Step-3
load factor
kL=1.25
ka=0.7+(1.5A)=0.7+1.5X0.18=0.97
Step-4
Shape factor
Height to width ratio of brick=100/100=1
Strength=10Mpa
Refer table 10
Kp=1.1
Step-5
Stress reduction factor
Slenderness ratio=effective height/thickness
The column is laterally restrained in xx direction
Effective height hx=1Xh=1x5100=5100
Hy=1xh=2x5100=10200mm
Step-6
F=fcxkaxksxkp.kL
=0.81x0.97x0.4645x1.1x1.25
=0.501N/mm2.
Result:
Allowable compressive stress=0.501N/mm2.

9. Explain the following terms: (AUC Nov/Dec 2011)

i) Effective length of brick masonry wall.

The length of the wall to be considered for calculating slenderness ratio. The effective
length of wall shall be given in table no 5 (IS: 1907-1987)

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ii) Effective height of brick masonry wall
The height of the wall or column to be considered for calculating slenderness ratio.the
effective height of the wall shall be given in table no 4 (IS: 1907-1987)

iii) Permissible stresses for brick masonry

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 Permissible compressive stress in masonry shall be based on the value of basic
compressive stress as given in table 8 and multiplying this value by factor known as
o Stress reduction factor
o Area reduction factor
o Shape modification factor

Stress reduction factor

This factor as given in table 9, take into consideration the slenderness ratio of the
element and also the eccentricity of loading.

Area reduction factor

This factor takes into consideration smallness of the sectional area of the element is less
than 0.2m2.
The factor ka=0.7+1.5A
A=area of the section in m2
Shape modification factor
This factor takes into consideration the shape of the unit that is height to width ratio and
as given in table 10.this factor is applicable for units of crushing strength up to 15N/mm 2.

iv) Lateral support to the wall

Trussed roofing may not provide lateral support unless special measures are adopted to
brace and anchor the roofing.
However in case of residential and similar buildings of conventional design with trussed
roofing having cross walls, it may be assumed that stability requirements are met with by the
cross walls and structural analysis for stability may be dispensed with.

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