Question

Effective thickness of masonry is reduced if the eccentricity ratio exceeds ___________

(a) 1/2

(b) 1/3

(c) 1/5

(d) 1/6

I got this question during a job interview.

Origin of the question is Effective Length and Thickness of Wall topic in section Load Bearing Walls of Construction & Building Materials

Answer 1

Right answer is (d) 1/6

To elaborate: Effective thickness of masonry is reduced if the eccentricity ratio exceeds 1/6. When the eccentricity ratio exceeds 1/6, it results in the tension on one side of the member which reduces the effective thickness.