Author
C.R. WILLIS, M.C. GRIFFITH and S.J. LAWRENCE
The University of Adelaide SPL Consulting Pty Ltd, The University of Newcastle

Abstract
This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation into the one-way horizontal bending behaviour of unreinforced masonry (URM) subject to static out-of-plane loading. The experimental study included:
• masonry material tests to quantify the primary failure mechanisms
contributing to the horizontal bending strength of URM walls for
‘line’ and ‘stepped’ failure modes; and,
• static tests on small wallettes subject to horizontal bending in order to study the influence of vertical compressive stress on the load-deflection behaviour. The static tests were conducted in a vertical orientation and incorporated four different levels of vertical compressive stress. A greater understanding of the mechanisms contributing to the out-ofplane flexural strength of masonry under vertical axial loading will aid in the development of an improved analytical procedure for diagonal bending.