Allowable Loads for Masonry Walls

[caleb]

Hi,

My problem: My client wants to store a substantial amount of weight on the roof of an office building within the paper mill. The office building is constructed with Masonry blocks. I have designed a steel structure to be set on top of the roof so as to distribute the load to the buildings North and South walls. I have calculated the weight each wall will be required to carry, as well as the resulting compressive stress exhibited on each wall. What I would like to know is; what are the allowable loads on Masonry walls? Where can I find published standards and/or design criteria for Masonry walls? As an added note to someone that is going to have intuition on this matter, each wall measures; 27.5' long x 20' high x 7 5/8" deep and will be required to carry 510 lbs/ft2. Any information would be much appreciated. Thank you.


Respectfully

Caleb J. Bell

 

[JAE]

Caleb - the latest/greatest document in the U.S. is the new ACI 530-02. You can probably find this at

http://www.aci-int.org

Many building codes also provide allowable stresses such as the UBC, BOCA and SBC codes.

With the new loads on the walls, be sure to include all other applicable loads per the governing building code. These would include lateral wind pressures, lateral seismic (if applicable), lateral earth pressures, and existing gravity loads.

 

[jheidt2543]

The Masonry Institute publishes a series of Tech Notes that cover all aspects of masonry construction, including loading. You can find them on the web or through your local concrete block supplier.

 

[caleb]

Thanks JAE and jheidt2543 for the the leads.

caleb

 

[dik]

An 8" wall, 20' high is a tad slender for a bearing wall. It will likely require stiffening. For a good design reference, there is an excellent text titled, "Engineered Masonry Design" by Glanville and Hatzinikolas that deals with Limit States Design for masonry. Also, the CSA Standard (for Canada) S304.1 is world class... The standard includes for design of real slender masonry walls (grouted, reinforced, and plain); the text also accommodates these.

Dik