Author

S. K. ARORA Building Research Establishment, Garslon
Abstract

While apparently taking into account both the position of a concentrated load and its area in relation to wall area, the clauses in BS562S:Parl 1 are inconsistent and do not model the behaviour accurately. Some first tests have been carried out on 1.4 m high wall specimens of both brick and block construction, subjected to concentrated loads of varying area configuration and position. Theoretical predictions have been made of the principal stress patterns in typical test specimens by the Finite Element technique. The paper describes the two approaches and comments on: the compressive strength enhancement, the modes of failure, the comparison betwen the measured and predicted stress patterns and load dispersion aspects. Also included are recommendations for improvements to the relevant sections in the Code.