Masonry · Lateral load & panels

Unreinforced masonry: vertical bending calculator

Vertical bending capacity per metre using the flexural tensile strength f′mt plus the precompression, against a wind/lateral UDL.

Standard: AS 3700 Cl 7.4.2

Inputs in the worked example

The live calculator starts with these values; change any of them and every result, check and diagram updates instantly.

Input	Value	Unit
Wall thickness	110	mm
Flexural tensile strength f′mt	0.2	MPa
Design compressive stress at section	0.1	MPa
Span (vertical)	2.4	m
Lateral pressure	0.6	kPa
Support	Simple top & bottom (wH²/8)

Diagram for the worked example

Zd = t²/6 per m = 110^2/6*1000 = 2.017e+6 mm³/m
Mcv = φ f′mt Zd + fd Zd (≤ 3φf′mt Zd) = MIN(0.6*0.2*2.017e+6+0.1*2.017e+6,3*0.6*0.2*2.017e+6)/1E6 = 0.44367 kNm/m
M* = 0.6*2.4^2/IF(1=1,8,2) = 0.432 kNm/m

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For preliminary design and education. Check every result against the current standard and your own engineering judgement before use.