SMDS offers quite a bit of flexibility with design parameters. One can either enter f’m (if “prism method” is the method selected for masonry strength) or enter the block compressive strength (f’cmu) and mortar type (select “unit strength method”) and have the program calculate f’m. The program has the capability to use ASD design or strength design. The National Concrete Masonry Association has produced this program that is capable of designing lintels, walls (both for in-plane and out-of-plane loading), columns, and pilasters. Structural Masonry Design Software System (SMDS) To use a value other than the minimum, uncheck the “automatic” box after f’m and enter a different value. One thing to watch out for is that if the engineer allows the program to calculate the masonry assembly strength (f’m) automatically, it will use the minimum value per the selected design code (2000 psi for IBC 2015 1500 psi for previous codes). These properties can be manually overridden if it is necessary to do so. The user can set seismic design criteria to check the wall for lateral loads based on this weight. The program will automatically calculate properties such as wall thickness, net area, section modulus, and weight. The IMI partition wall software allows the engineer to input the design code, block thickness and weight, wall height and support conditions, and loads (if they differ from the default 5 psf interior partition load). But a partition wall, by definition, carries no structural loads at all, and therefore doesn’t need much (or sometimes any) reinforcing. Many times, engineers have a general note stating that the maximum reinforcing spacing in masonry walls shall not exceed 48 inches or something similar. Partition walls are a textbook case of a component that doesn’t need FEA in order to get an efficient design, yet they are often over-designed. The International Masonry Institute has a free web-based software program for the design of masonry partition walls.

This paper will cover some of the options available to engineers when designing masonry with component design programs. This simpler design may not represent actual conditions quite like FEA can, but it can save time if FEA is not needed to deal with complicated geometry. The programs look at each component as isolated, simply supported, determinate members. This is where component design programs come in.Ĭomponent design programs, as one might think, analyze individual components of construction - an engineer can design a masonry lintel, then apply loads from the lintel supports to a jamb in order to design the jambs. FEA software is not necessarily the best tool for every project sometimes simpler is better. Software programs that design masonry using finite element analysis (FEA) are beneficial to structural engineers because they analyze the structure as a whole-the lintels, jambs, walls, etc.

Masonry bearing design tedds