ABSTRACT
Masonry, brought to the UK by the Romans, became a popular method of construction as the units could originally be lifted and placed with one hand. Masonry has orthotropic material properties relating to the bed or perpend joints of the masonry units. The compressive strength of the masonry depends on the strength of the masonry units and on the mortar type. Masonry is good in compression and has limited fl exural strength. Where the fl exural strength of masonry ‘ parallel to the bed joints ’ can be developed, the section is described as ‘ uncracked ’ . A cracked section (e.g. due to a damp proof course or a movement joint) relies on the dead weight of the masonry to resist tensile stresses. The structure should be arranged to limit tension or buckling in slender members, or crushing of stocky structures.
