Chapter 9: Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

Unreinforced masonry is one of the earliest materials used in the construction of buildings. Many such buildings were therefore constructed prior to the introduction of seismic design requirements and tend to be highly vulnerable. Their age also means that unreinforced masonry construction often comprises some of our most important buildings from a cultural heritage perspective. This chapter provides an overview of unreinforced masonry buildings before looking at the seismic vulnerabilities that are associated with this type of construction. Specific focus is placed on the hierarchy of masonry crumbling, followed by local failure, and then finally global failure. A range of local retrofit solutions is then provided to address the various potential vulnerabilities, such as tying wythes together, bracing parapets and chimneys, strengthening nd stiffening diaphragms, and retrofitting with fibre-reinforced polymers.