Physical Modelling for Investigation Walls due to Thermal Movements of Cracking in Masonry of an Overlying Slab

This paper describes the use of 1/3 scale physical models to investigate the deformations generated and cracking in walls due to the thermal movements of an overlying slab. In this study three models were constructed to identify the effect of the structural form and aspect ratio of the wall on the formation+ of cracks. Temperature variations in the models, strains generated and formation of cracks were observed. The effect of the structural form and aspect ratio of the walls on the above phenomena were identified. The results were compared with numerical and field survey studies.