Effects of support movement on local concrete block construction

Abstract

A major problem in masonry is the formation of cracks due to structural movement between the different masonry units making up the wall. One reason for this is the movement of the supporting elements as a result of ground subsidence. The concept of this dissertation is to identify serviceability limit states of local concrete masonry walls subjected to subsidence when considering local construction methods and commonly used wall finishing techniques in line with Annex H of Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design. This study presents the results of an experimental investigation to establish the crack pattern and serviceability limit state of local concrete block construction from scaled down and full scale models. It was found that Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design, Annex H gives very conservative values for our local concrete block construction when subjected to a sagging mode of deformation.