Bond beam design

[hamza41]

Hello,
Could you please tell me how to design the bond beam (ring beam) in the middle of a high masonry wall. Shall it be designed to support the masonry wall weight above it ?

Thank you for your help.

 

[MotorCity]

Bond beams can be designed to carry the weight of masonry above (such as a lintel above an opening) but typically they serve to stiffen the lateral resistance of the wall.

 

[hamza41]

Thank you for your reply.
How high could generally a masonry wall support its own weight ?

 

[dik]

What are 'ring beams'? And is the space between the top of the wall and the roof filled in? How thick are your CMUs? [Added] Your CMUs below grade could be subject to deterioration...

Dik

 

[concretemasonry]

That looks strangely like many buildings I have seen around the world. - In those the concrete frame is built just before the (or with) the masonry infill.

Hamza41: The in-fill units are adequate for the loads they see. The actual strength of the CMUs would be in the range of 3000 psi to 8500 psi depending on what the manufacturer decides. - The cheapest way to increase the strength is to add water, but the appearance may be less desirable. The cost of the cement is less than penalty (decreased production rate) incurred by adding water. - 6" thick CMUs seem to be the most common for multi-story buildings like apartments since the individual panels are not over 8' high.

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[dhengr]

Concretemasonry:
I’m doing a slight thread highjack here...,

Dick, would you please look at the thread titled “CMU Disintegrating,” thread507-435859, 23FEB18, and tell us what you think on the subject. I would be interested to hear what you have to say, have you seen this before, what causes it, etc. All conc. blks. don’t seem to be affected the same way, all the time, even though in the same location, and while 5,6,7 blks. are severely deteriorated.

 

[hamza41]

Thank you.
In fact this drawing has been provided by a client as guide drawing.
I wouldn't put masonry below grade.
We are used to clay brick masonry which is not reinforced and used only as infill walls with limited heights due to their poor resistance.