CREEP ANALYSIS OF CLAY MASONRY ASSEMBLAGES

When loads are applied to a masonry structure, viscoelastic behaviour is exhibited where the response can be divided into two distinct parts : an instantaneous elastic part and a time-dependent one. With the cha nge in masonry construction during the last century from thick, low-st ressed walls to thinner, more highly stressed ones, the latter portion of the response is becoming more important in the design of masonry s tructures. The main objective of this paper is to examine suitable met hods of creep prediction for clay masonry. The results of a large, con tinuing experimental programme begun in 1988 were used to evaluate the minimum and maximum values of specific creep and creep ratio. The tes t setup and the effect of moisture content on the creep behaviour of m asonry are also described briefly.