This document is written for building professionals interested in learning more about confined masonry construction and for those who would like to promote its application in countries without prior experience related to this construction practice.
Confined masonry has evolved over the last 100 years through an informal process based on its satisfactory performance in past earthquakes in countries and regions of extremely high seismic risk. It is used both for non-engineered and engineered construction; its field applications range from one or two storey high single-family dwellings to six storey apartment buildings. Design and construction provisions for confined masonry are included in building codes in several countries.