---
title: "Masonry structure and its limitations"
subject: "Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure:masonry-definition-limitations"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/masonry-definition-limitations
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Masonry structure and its limitations

Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure · Chapter 7: Introduction to masonry structures

- Asked in: 2074 Ashwin, 2 marks
- Video: [lec10 masonry structures](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjrf1s47Egg) — MOHAMMEDABBAS JAMANI
- Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5 on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/masonry-definition-limitations
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/chapter-7

## Question

What do you understand by masonry structure? State its structural limitations.

## Short answer

Masonry structures are assemblies of units like bricks or stone bonded with mortar, working primarily in compression. Key limitations: very low tensile and flexural strength, poor resistance to lateral loads, restricted height and slenderness, heavy self-weight, sensitivity to openings, brittle failure, and dependence on workmanship.

## Answer

**Masonry structure** is a structure built from individual units (bricks, stone, concrete or hollow blocks, compressed earth blocks) laid in courses and bonded together with mortar. The walls and piers carry the loads mainly by compression.

#### Structural limitations

- Very low tensile and flexural strength; mortar joints are weak planes, so cracks open easily.
- Poor resistance to lateral loads (earthquake, wind), because the material is heavy, brittle and has little ductility.
- Limited height and span; the slenderness ratio is restricted (IS 1905: about 27 for walls and 12 for columns).
- Openings must be small and well placed, otherwise the wall strength falls sharply.
- Strength depends on workmanship, quality of units and mortar, and curing.
- Heavy self-weight, so foundation loads are large; walls are thick and reduce the floor area.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. How do masonry walls and piers mainly carry load?
   A. By tension
   B. By compression
   C. By bending
   D. By torsion
   Answer: B. Masonry units bonded with mortar carry loads mainly in compression. (Key point: Definition)

2. Why do cracks open easily in masonry?
   A. Tensile and flexural strength are very low and mortar joints are weak planes
   B. Masonry is too ductile
   C. Compressive strength is nil
   D. Bricks are too light
   Answer: A. Very low tensile and flexural strength with weak joints makes cracking easy. (Key point: Low tensile strength)

3. Why does masonry resist earthquake and wind poorly?
   A. It is light and flexible
   B. It has high tensile strength
   C. It is heavy, brittle and has little ductility
   D. It has very thin walls
   Answer: C. Heavy, brittle material with little ductility performs poorly under lateral loads. (Key point: Lateral loads)

## Related in Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure

- [Concrete as a structural material](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Aconcrete-structural-material) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 1, asked 3×
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