Analysis of Reliability for Masonry Structures

Strength design and the use of loading criteria, based on probabilistic limit states design principles, are relatively new concepts in the masonry area. These concepts afford a number of advantages for design. Their implementation requires an assessment of the following: statistical data on masonry strength, the establishment of appropriate measures of reliability for design, and the development of safety factors to be applied to material and load variables. Available strength data on brick and concrete masonry construction are summarized, and a few reliability calculations are made to show how masonry compares with other engineered construction materials.