Strength of spandrels

Flexural capacity

=
2

, = ( + )

= +
= 0.65

= ( + )
2( + )

2

=
6

: Average axial stress in pier at spandrel end

Note: Assume same capacities at both ends
(need to use the average of stresses at both end)

Vertical stress at spandrel end (point B)

Ultimate shear capacity of spandrels

(from flexure)
, =

2,

Internal force diagram of a spandrel (Beyer 2012)

tsp
Vu (cracking through joints)

Vu (cracking through bricks)

,

2
, = ( + )
3

=
1 +

2.3(1 + )

t : Shear stress assumed to have

: Direct tensile strength of bricks

=
2

hsp

parabolic distribution thus

resulting in 2/3 coefficient

Example
A section of a masonry wall has been shown. Calculate ultimate flexural
and shear capacity of spandrel and specify the behavioural models for
appropriate plastic hinges. Assume the axial load of the spandrel as zero.
= 1.6m
= 1m

= 75mm
= 110mm
= = 0.23m
= 7,

= 0.4, = 0.375,

= 0.3,

= 2 MPa

15kN/m

15kN/m

1.6

= 10mm

= 0.4 MPa
2.3

shear capacity

,1 =
1 + =
2.3(1 + )

2
3
230 1600 2.3 1+0.3125
1 + 0 10 = 243.8 kN

, = min ,1 , ,2 = 92 kN

2
,2 = + =
3
2
230 1600 0.375 + 0 103 = 92 kN
3

Flexural capacity

2

230 1600 1600
=
=
= 98.13 106 mm3
6
6

0.375
20.4

= 0.469 MPa

= 0.65

15000
1000230

= +

= 0.042 MPa

(0.4 0.042 + 0.375)

2 +
110

2 75+10

= 0.253 MPa

, = + = 0.469 + 0.253 + 0 98.13 106 106 = 70.9 kN.m

Shear capacity from flexure (need not be compared with previous two shear modes IF shear hinges
are implemented in the model separately)
, =

2,

270.9103
1000

0.9Mu
or 0.9Vu

= 141.8 kN

0.2Mu
or
0.2Vu

Behavioural data
Flexural property

Shear properties

de

0.9Mu
kN.m

de
(0)

du
(0)

df
(0)

0.9Vu
kN

de
(mm)

du
(mm)

df
(mm)

63.8

0.001

0.008

0.03

82.8

15

du
Hinge behavioural model

df
Drift, %