Reliability-based calibration of the capacity reduction factor for design of masonry in compression to AS3700

The paper examines the reliability of masonry walls designed for compression in accordance with AS3700. The results of a large number of tests on full-scale masonry walls in compression have been used to obtain probabilistic models of behaviour. Structural reliability was then estimated for vertical loading of unreinforced masonry walls loaded concentrically, considering variations of unit compressive strength, mortar type, tributary area and live-to-dead load ratios. A reliability-based calibration of the Australian masonry design code AS3700 was then conducted using a target reliability index specifi ed in AS5104. Recommendations are made for changes to ϕ used for compression design in AS3700 that, if adopted, would lead to an increase of 66% in the design compressive strength of walls