Climate adapted design of masonry structures

This paper presents challenges concerning design of masonry structures in severe climates. Empirical data on the design and performance of masonry buildings in Norway are presented, based on a comprehensive analysis of 302 process induced masonry defect assignments over a 20-year period from 1983 to 2002. Analyses of building defects are necessary in order to further develop tools, solutions and preventive measures ensuring high-performance building envelopes. The results illuminate the vulnerability of masonry under varying climatic exposure. The amount of masonry defects in Norway illustrates that it is not only the extreme weather events that need to be studied as a foundation for geographically dependent design guidelines. Driving rain and frost action are the principal climatic challenges to be considered in the pursuit of high-performance masonry structures. Shrinkage and thermal movement, the most frequent defect category, dominate independent of the climatic impact. Merely small errors or mistakes can bring about major and often irreparable defects or damage to masonry structuresA large part of the cases could have been avoided through more detailed engineering and applied knowledge on existing design guidelines. Finally, performance requirements for better design guidelines are presented. The need for design guidelines to ensure local climate adaptation and improved design guidelines on movement joints is also revealed.