The slenderness ratio for masonry walls should not be more than

Answer: Option B

Definition: The slenderness ratio of a masonry wall is the ratio of its effective height or effective length (whichever is less) to its thickness.

Purpose: This ratio indicates the wall’s susceptibility to buckling under compressive loads. A higher value means the wall is taller and thinner, making it less stable.

Code requirement: As per standard building codes such as IS 1905:1987, the slenderness ratio for masonry walls should not exceed 20 to ensure stability and safety.

Reason: Limiting the slenderness ratio reduces the risk of lateral deflection, buckling, and failure under axial loads.

Conclusion: For structural safety, the effective height or length of a masonry wall divided by its thickness should be ≤ 20.