Author
C-A GRAUBNER(1) and T KRANZLER(2)
(1) Prof. Dr.-Ing., Institute of Concrete Structures and Materials, Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany, graubner@massivbau.tu-darmstadt.de
(2) Ph.D. candidate Dipl.-Ing., Institute of Concrete Structures and Materials, Darmstadt University of Technology, kranzler@massivbau.tu-darmstadt.de

Abstract
The carrying capacity of horizontally loaded unreinforced masonry panels is influenced by many parameters. Besides the material properties and dimensions of the units as well as the geometry of the whole panel, the design concept and static system play a major role. This paper shows that the respective parameters and the basic assumptions used in different design approaches affect the shear resistance against horizontal forces significantly. For a more realistic design of unreinforced masonry panels a big European research project (ESECMaSE) deals with the shear bearing capacity of masonry panels. First results are presented.