Masonry Gravity Wall (LRFD)
US structural engineers and engineering designers designing reinforced CMU gravity walls subject to wind and out-of-plane seismic loads to TMS 402/602-22. Checks out-of-plane shear (Section 9.3.3.1.2) and combined factored axial-bending interaction across ASCE 7 load combinations. Load reactions link to footing calculations so structural changes propagate downstream.
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What it calculates
Design partially- or fully-grouted reinforced CMU gravity walls to TMS 402/602-22 Strength Design. Out-of-plane shear and combined factored axial-bending interaction checks with a visual interaction diagram. Load reactions link to footing calculations.
Code standards
- TMS 402/602-22
Who uses this calculator
US structural engineers and engineering designers designing reinforced CMU gravity walls subject to wind and out-of-plane seismic loads to TMS 402/602-22. Checks out-of-plane shear (Section 9.3.3.1.2) and combined factored axial-bending interaction across ASCE 7 load combinations. Load reactions link to footing calculations so structural changes propagate downstream.
Automate LRFD load combinations and moment-axial interaction checks for partially and fully grouted walls, with out-of-plane shear and bending per TMS 402/602-22.
How it calculates
Masonry and reinforcement properties
Material inputs define the design basis: CMU block size (6" to 12"), masonry type (clay or concrete), specified compressive strength f'm, unit weight, and mortar type. Grout condition - partial or full - determines the effective cross-section for capacity calculations. Partial grouting uses net area and net moment of inertia at the reinforced cell spacing; full grouting uses the gross section. Reinforcement is a single centered layer with user-specified grade and spacing.
Load combination analysis
Factored axial gravity loads (1.2D, 1.2D + 1.6L, etc.) and out-of-plane lateral demands from wind or seismic are assembled into the governing ASCE 7 strength-level combinations. The calculator applies factored loads per unit width of wall and identifies the combination that produces the maximum demand for each check. Dynamic load linking allows axial demands to propagate from connected beam or column calculations.
Out-of-plane shear (TMS 402/602-22, Section 9.3.3.1.2)
Factored shear demand Vu from out-of-plane lateral loads is checked against the design shear strength:
phi * Vn ≥ Vu, with phi = 0.80
Nominal shear strength Vn is computed from masonry shear resistance based on f'm, net area, and axial load. Horizontal reinforcement contributes to Vs when provided. In-plane shear is not checked - this calculator covers gravity walls only.
Out-of-plane bending and axial interaction (TMS 402-22, Section 9, MDG 2022 Ch.12.4.4)
A phi-Pn vs. phi-Mn interaction diagram is generated using a rectangular equivalent stress block (depth a = 0.80c) with neutral axis from strain compatibility. The factored demand point (Pu, Mu) must lie within the design capacity envelope:
utilization = Mu / phi-Mn (at Pu) ≤ 1.0
The interaction diagram is plotted for the full range of axial loads, and demand points from all governing load combinations are shown against the envelope. Deflection checks are not included - Chapter 9 of TMS 402-22 does not contain deflection limits for LRFD masonry walls. The fully grouted wall model does not apply the slenderness limit per MDG 2022 examples.
What engineers say
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Aaron D. Obermiller, P.E.
Engineer, REO Engineering
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?
How is LRFD (Strength Design) different from ASD for masonry walls?
Does this calculator support load linking with footing calculations?
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