Climate change design adaptation for the next generation of Canada’s masonry systems

In 2018, the results of a Climate Change Adaptation Standards Inventory Analysis conducted by CSA indicated cavity-wall design as requiring urgent climate change adaptation provisions. Distress in cavity-walls is often attributed to excessive differential movements governed by the drying shrinkage of inner loadbearing concrete masonry members, projected to increase with climate change, producing cracks in outer clay brick veneer and compromising durability – test data are, however, still scarce, preventing climate-adapted and evidence-based design of modern cavity-wall systems from being developed. The proposed project, conducted in partnership with the Canada Masonry Design Centre (CMDC) and the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association (CCMPA) – recognized leaders and references for masonry producers and designers in Canada – is the first attempt to characterize experimentally in a comprehensive and coherent manner the cavity-wall components commonly employed in Canada under both environmental and structural loading conditions, whose results will be used to calibrate numerical models and assess the suitability of evidence-based climate-adapted design options.

Faculty Supervisor:

Daniele Malomo

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers’ Association;Canada Masonry Design Centre (ON)

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

McGill University

Program: