Impact of Openings on the In-Plane Strength of Confined and Unconfined Masonry Walls: A Sustainable Numerical Study

While openings are an essential requirement in buildings as a source of access, fresh air and sunlight, these cause reduction the lateral stiffness torsional resistance masonry wall units. A detailed numerical investigation was carried out to explore impact opening percentage on in-plane strength unconfined confined panels prepared using calcium silicate bricks, for sustainable structures. commercially available FEM package (ANSYS) used carry comparative analysis ten panels, five each type (confined walls) with concentrically located varying sizes (0% 16.5%). simplified micro-modeling technique following Newton Raphson Algorithm adopted. Results revealed that approach unveiled more reliable anti-seismic response along improved case walls. The failure shifted from pure flexural blend shear flexure after increased 10.09% walls, which not where confinement provided. Based outcomes, it is strongly recommended adopt highly seismic-prone areas avoid catastrophic damage caused by earthquakes.