EFFECT OF CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY TYPE ON SEISMIC BEHAVIOUR OF MASSONRY BUILDING

Abstract

Structural adequacy of masonry walls depends upon a number of factors, among which mention may be made of quality and strength of masonry units and mortars, workmanship, methods of bonding, unsupported height of wall, eccentricity in the loading, position and size of openings in walls, location of cross walls and the combination of various external loads to which wall are subject. It is very important to know the performance of a masonry system under seismic loading when occupancy type is changed. Now a day’s many alterations in structural system are made in buildings without knowing there after- effects, for example, in a masonry structure occupancies are changed by using the structure for some other purpose, without knowing its strength and capability to resist new loads. Also many structural member such as load bearing walls from a masonry structure are removed from the original structure for sake of change in occupancy, which can result fatal accidents. Hence a study is required...