Abstract:
Load bearing masonry wall supported over lintels, grade beams, floor beams
etc. when subjected to superimposed vertical load act compositely with the
supporting member. The wall contributes in stiffening the structure, the
effect of which is reduced dimension and saving in material of bottom
beam. An experimental investigation has been performed to study this
composite action between wall and the supporting beam. In this
experimental program a total of twelve specimens under four groups are
tested. Out of these twelve specimens nine are composite wall-beam and the
remaining three are reinforced concrete beams which are identical to the
bottom beams of the composite wall-beam of the test series. Different
height to length ratio of the wall beam has been considered in the study
by varying the length of wall, while keeping the height of wall and beam
constant. Different bond pattern in the brickwork of wall-beam structures
and the provision of reinforcement in the brickwork are also considered in
this study.
From the analysis of the test results, the effect of bond pattern of
brickwork, inclusion of vertical reinforcement in the wall and H/L ratio
on the failure load and deflection of composite wall-beams are discussed.
The test results along with the analysis using existing formulae are also
reported in this study.
Load carrying capacity of composite wall-beam structure is predicted by
considering the wall-beam section uncracked and ultimate state of failure.
The formulae for reinforced concrete' beam and deep beam have been used
with slight modification for prediction of the load.
An analytical method is also suggested for the prediction of load carrying
capacity of composite wall-beam. The predicted load using this suggested
method is compared with the experimental loads.
