Design and Cost Comparison of Reinforced Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Building Structures
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Date
2009-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Most building structures known to be constructed in Ethiopia and other many countries contain,
by rule of thumb or knowledge, some proportion of masonry components. Despite this reality,
the development of analysis and design techniques for masonry structures has lagged behind
reinforced concrete. The lack of engineered guide lines, at governmental level, to the design of
reinforced masonry and failure of local universities to deliver courses on masonry has played
their shares in the ill-treatment of this potentially rich construction material-masonry.
Not few people perceive, as stone solely, the meaning of masonry and have clouded perceptions
regarding the extendible use of this material as core component of a structure. This research
work, therefore, attempts to set some insights on the actual meaning of masonry and the possible
positive outcomes that can be enjoyed by making use of it in an engineered manner. To do so,
this thesis introduces some of the available methods of design based on limit state design
philosophy and so investigates some standard documents, in the captioned philosophy, like
Ethiopian building code standard and the British code for design of masonry.
Based on techniques in the reviewed materials a G+4 building structure, consisting of reinforced
masonry wall as a main structural component and located in a Zone 2 seismic region of Ethiopia,
is modeled in 3-D by equivalent frame idealization, designed and its cost is compared with a
similar reinforced concrete building. It is found that better economy, with overlapping
advantages of sound insulation and short construction time are gained from the use of reinforced
masonry as a main structural component of building structures with current and practical price
ranges. Considering gradual cost increase in masonry units and decrease in cost of cement,
starting from current prices of both materials, the break even point for the cost of construction of
the designed building using both construction material types is found.
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Structural Engineering