Which property of a masonry wall reflects its strength against lateral forces like wind?

The strength of a masonry wall against lateral forces, such as wind loads, is closely associated with its flexural strength. This property reflects the material's ability to resist bending or deformation when subjected to lateral forces. Specifically, flexural strength indicates how much stress the material can withstand before failing in bending.

In the context of wind loads on a masonry wall, the wall must be capable of resisting not just vertical loads but also the sideways forces exerted by gusting winds. The ability of the wall to maintain its structural integrity and avoid cracking or collapsing when subjected to these loads relies heavily on its flexural strength.

While compressive strength, tensile strength, and shear strength are all important for various aspects of wall performance, they do not directly address the wall's resistance to bending and the subsequent stresses induced by lateral forces.