Author(s)

D. Cook & G. Pegram

Abstract

Analysis of crack damage in three Georgian facades in the City of Bath, England, with a simple approach to the repair problem D. Cook, G. Pegram Department of Architecture and Building Enqineering, University of Bath, England ABSTRACT The field observation and analysis of four long facades demonstrates that the major component of deformation is due to shear not bending. Much of this occurs in the spandrel wall element between windows. Cracking however usually starts through tensile bending strains at the window corners; the tolerance to diagonal shear cracking being greater. A simple analysis of the spandrel shows that, if a technique for in-situ reinforcement can suppress the first bending cracks, then it could offer an extended life to the masonry without the traditional recourse to underpinning. Some preliminary laboratory tests on half-scale model walls serves to support the foregoing. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND In historical terms the tolerance of masonry structures to

Keywords