The objective of this paper is to analyze flexural design provisions for reinforced concrete masonry beams. Design provisions from various building codes are assessed in terms of reliability and predictive capabilities. A database of 173 flexural tests on masonry beams and walls is assembled from the literature, and the failure loads of these elements are predicted using four different masonry design codes. The analyzed codes include CSA S304.1-04 (Canada), TMS 402-08 (US), AS 3700-2001 (Australia), and BS 5628-2:2005 (UK). A fifth set of flexural design provisions suggested by Suter and Fenton is also assessed. The study showed that the TMS, AS and BS design codes give reasonable average ratios of tested to predicted strength, ranging from 1.10 to 1.16 with a coefficient of variation around 15%. The Canadian masonry code (CSA S304.1-04) is the worst conservative with a Mexp/M_(pred) ratio of 1.21. It also has the highest variation of 16%. Further analysis indicated that this high variation comes from the % factor used by the Canadian code to account for the continuity of the grout in the compression zone. On the other hand, the equation suggested by Suter and Fenton showed the smallest average ratio of tested to predicted strength of 1.06 and a coefficient of variation at 14%. As such, it appears worthwhile to review these equations for future editions of the code.
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