Author
J. SCHWARTZ*, B. THURLIMANN* and C. WEDERt
•Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich
tVSL International Concrete Expert, Switzerland

Abstract
The new Swiss Standard SIA V 177/2 covers the design of clay, calcium-silicate and concrete unit walls under both eccentric normal force and combined normal force and shear. The standard is based on research carried out at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology since 1975 and follows the limit state philosophy. The material properties are defined by a failure criterion for biaxial in-plane loading, by a non-linear normal force-moment-curvature relationship for eccentric normal force loading, and by a modulus of elasticity and a shear modulus. The design of masonry walls under eccentric normal force uses the column-deflection-curve method, and the wall-slab interaction is considered. The ultimate limit state is defined by instability or local material failure. The shear strength is determined by using the lower bound theorem of the theory of plasticity, that is, by evaluating statically admissible stress fields. The serviceability is checked theoretically by limiting cracks and wall deformations.