Author

N. G. SHRIVE The University of Calgary

Abstract

In some masonry, creep can be as large as the moisture, thermal and elastic strains combined. Clay masonry has been used as a supposedly non-load-bearing veneer in composite construction where differential movement is to be expected. The size of movement joints used in composite construction may be too small to avoid structural distress. Relief may be provided by cutting new movement joints or enlarging existing ones. In post-tensioned masonry, creep causes loss of prestress. Long-term “worst case” effects are likely to be about 30% loss in concrete blockwork and about 20% loss in clay brickwork. A simple model for masonry used in conjunction with a general equation for loss of prestress in partially prestressed concrete members gives good comparative predictions. There is a need for creep data on masonry materials.