What is the Confined Masonry Network?

Recent earthquakes in several countries have shown the devastating performance of reinforced concrete frames with masonry infills due to poor design and construction. Such buildings are very prevalent in developing countries and the deficiencies in design, quality of materials, and construction can have catastrophic consequences. Another common building type in developing countries that is associated with high death tolls is unreinforced masonry. However, there is an amazingly simple solution with the emergence of a construction technique called confined masonry. By making some inexpensive and easy changes to traditional construction materials and procedures, the risk of casualties can be significantly reduced. Currently practiced throughout Latin America, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the construction technology is being introduced to countries such as India. This promise of saving hundreds of thousands of lives is the motivating factor for an international initiative on the part of earthquake experts.

An International Strategy Workshop on Promotion of Confined Masonry was organized at Kanpur (India) during 26-28 January 2008 by National Information Centre of Earthquake Engineering (NICEE) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), and the World Seismic Safety Initiative (WSSI). A small group of experts from India, U.S.A., Switzerland, Peru, Mexico, China, Indonesia and Canada developed a strategy to promote confined masonry worldwide, with two major objectives: improve the design and construction quality of confined masonry where it is currently in use; and introduce confined masonry in areas where it can reduce seismic risk. A confined masonry network was created at this meeting to promote safe and economical housing worldwide by bringing quality confined masonry into the design and construction mainstream. To join this network, send your contact information to Marjorie Greene at EERI: mgreene@eeri.org.