The overall objectives of this project are to improve seismic performance criteria and performance-based design recommendations for new masonry, including concrete masonry shear walls, concrete masonry walls with clay masonry veneer, and clay masonry veneer over wood-frame construction.

During the summer of 2008, two full-scale, single-story structures will be tested on the outdoor shaking table at UC San Diego:

o a structure incorporating the essential elements of a wood-frame house with clay masonry veneer, and

o a structure incorporating the essential elements of a concrete-masonry commercial structure with clay masonry veneer.

The concrete-masonry structure will be tested twice, once with the veneer attached, and again with the veneer removed.

During 2007, these tests will be complemented by shaking-table tests on full-scale wall specimens at the UC San Diego table, by static tests on full-scale wall specimens at UT Austin, North Carolina A&T and elsewhere, and by static tests on veneer ties at UT Austin.

Over the course of the project, experimental results will be compared with analytical predictions, and will be used to propose refinements to current design provisions for new masonry walls, masonry veneer, and masonry veneer ties. Results will be incorporated into K-12 educational tools on seismic safety, and will also be combined with existing educational materials for architects, engineers, contractors and building officials.

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