Masonry Gravity Wall (ASD, TMS 402/602-16)
For projects designed under TMS 402/602-16 ASD - the predecessor code to TMS 402/602-22. Checks out-of-plane shear and combined axial-bending for partially- and fully-grouted CMU walls, with an interaction diagram. Use the TMS 402/602-22 version for new work.
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What it calculates
Design partially- or fully-grouted reinforced CMU gravity walls to TMS 402/602-16 ASD. Checks out-of-plane shear and combined axial and bending capacity with a visual interaction diagram. The legacy edition for projects under TMS 402/602-16.
Code standards
- TMS 402/602-16
- NCMA TEK
- IBC 2018
- ASTM C90
- ASTM A615
- MDG 2016
How it calculates
Masonry and reinforcement properties
Material inputs establish the design basis: CMU block size (6" to 12"), masonry type (clay or concrete), specified compressive strength f'm, unit weight, and mortar type (M/S or N). The grout condition - partial or full - determines the effective cross-section. Partial grouting uses the net area and net moment of inertia at the reinforced cell spacing; full grouting uses the gross section. Reinforcement is modeled as a single layer centered on the block width, with grade and bar spacing as inputs.
Load combinations (ASCE 7-16)
ASD load combinations per ASCE 7-16 are applied: the governing combination for axial load (D, D+L, D+0.75L+0.75W, etc.) and out-of-plane bending (wind or seismic lateral pressure on 1 ft of wall) are both checked. The calculator evaluates all applicable combinations and identifies the governing case for each check.
Out-of-plane shear (TMS 402-16 Cl.8.3.5)
Allowable shear stress in masonry is compared to the applied shear demand from out-of-plane lateral loads. The check is:
fv ≤ Fv
where Fv depends on whether the wall is partially or fully grouted, f'm, and the reinforcement configuration. Note that in-plane shear is not checked - this calculator is for gravity walls only, not shear walls.
Out-of-plane bending and axial interaction (TMS 402-16 Cl.8.3.4, MDG 2016 Ch.11.4.3)
The interaction table covers the full range of axial-bending combinations. For each applied axial load P, the allowable bending moment Ma is computed using the Allowable Stress Design method. The demand point (P, M) must fall within the interaction envelope:
P / Pa + M / Ma ≤ 1.0
The interaction graph plots the full capacity envelope and the demand points from all load combinations, making it straightforward to confirm or adjust the reinforcement layout.
Deflection checks are not included - Section 8 of TMS 402-16 does not contain deflection limits for ASD masonry walls. The fully grouted wall model does not apply the slenderness limit per MDG 2016 examples.
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Frequently asked questions
What design method and code standard does this calculator use?
What are the key inputs?
What does it check or output?
Can it handle both partially and fully grouted walls?
When should I use this calculator instead of the TMS 402/602-22 version?
Does this calculator support load linking with footing calculations?
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