Author
CHRISTIANE HAHN Technical University Braunschweig

Abstract
Present knowledge of the behaviour of masonry walls in fire is based mainly on the results of tests on room sized walls, loadbearing and non-loadbearing, with and without a separating function. A number of loadbearing columns without separating function have been tested in Germany over the last few years. The fire tests showed very varied results due to many factors including the composition of the unit and mortar and even the size of the unit. Theoretical research was followed by high temperature tests on the material of the units, the mortar and the combination of the two, followed by detailed examination of the specimens. It is the aim of this research to establish standard material laws for masonry under high temperature conditions, as already exist for concrete and steel. It will then be possible to develop a calculation method for masonry under exposure to fire. This information is needed to produce a harmonized CEN standard for the design of masonry to replace the different national standards. The paper discusses the Interpretative Document, the work on the assessment of fire behaviour in CEN/TC127 and the work of CEN/TC250 SC6 Pt 7 on the structural fire design of masonry.