Masonry Magazine December 1982 Page. 15
Masonry Research Council of Canada
Announces 12 New Test Programs
University studies are aimed at significant facets of masonry design
As a construction material, masonry has to compete with steel, concrete, wood, and other building products. In recent years, the competition has caused changes in the use of masonry-compare, for example, the thin, load-bearing walls of today to those of a few year ago. Unfortunately, knowledge associated with the material properties and structural behavior of masonry has not kept pace with the changes in its use.
One of the major functions of the Masonry Research Council of Canada is to promote and support relevant masonry research in Canadian universities and research centers. Each fall the Council circulates a poster advertising the Council's funding activities, listing the conditions attached to its grants, and calling for proposals. Last year's priority items included rain penetration problems, wall movements due to temperature and loading, masonry connectors, cold weather construction, and solar heating.
In its funding decisions the Council tries to satisfy a number of objectives besides the obvious ones of supporting research which will be of short-term value to the masonry industry. For one thing, it tries to encourage work in as many universities as possible so that a growing number of young engineers are introduced to masonry as students. According to the Council, a wider knowledge of the potential of masonry and its many applications among design professionals is is of significant long-term value to the industry.
Another objective is to provide a basis for the growth of research activities funded by other agencies such as government granting programs and local industrial sources.
Occasionally the Council plays an active advisory role by suggesting particular directions for work, commissioning a state-of-the-art report, or referring one researcher to the work of others. Normally, however, the Council leaves individual researchers a maximum amount of discretion. Experience has shown that the best university research occurs when highly skilled professionals follow their instincts in new directions. These directions probably could not be predicted by a committee.
Some of the studies currently underway are described in the following summaries:
MASONRY RESEARCH PROGRAMS
University of British Columbia
Principal Investigators: Profs. Don Anderson, Sheldon Cherry and Noel Nathan.
Current Objectives: Minimum Steel Requirements for Seismic Loading.
This research project seeks answers to questions relating to the mandatory use of steel reinforcement in masonry walls where there is earthquake risk, as prescribed by the National Building Code of Canada. To date, several walls with varying amounts of reinforcing steel have been tested to failure. When analysis has been completed, additional walls will be mounted on a large shaking table and subjected to simulated earthquake motions.
University of Alberta
Principal Investigators: Profs. Jack Longworth and Joe Warwaruk.
Current Objectives: Full-scale Testing and Theoretical Analysis of Wall-to-Slab Joints.
The masonry research program at the University of Alberta is one of the largest and most productive efforts in Canada. Aimed primarily at structural engineering aspects of masonry walls and columns, the program is funded by federal and provincial agencies as well as the Council.
University of Calgary
Principal Investigator: Prof. Nigel Shrive.
Current Objectives: Basic Properties of Masonry.
This fundamental research program is aimed at a more