Bond Beams for Masonry Walls - Is it really necessary? 2

[cgseso]

Hi all,

We are having a hard time constructing our non load-bearing masonry walls with bond beams. Is bond beams really necessary part of the masonry wall system? Is this indicated in the codes/ guidelines?

Thanks for answering!

 

[phamENG]

Non bearing as in a 6" demising wall that's only 8' tall? I wouldn't sweat it. But if this is the side wall of a 20' tall warehouse, you may want to keep them in there. Give some more information and we can give some better advice.

 

[masonrygeek]

Horizontal joint reinforcing (HJR) can be used in place of horizontal reinforcement in many situations. The use of HJR as the primary horizontal reinforcing is relatively new in TMS 402/602 (previously ACI 530/530.1), but it is allowed. There may be some limitations so it makes sense to understand this more. For non-loadbearing walls, you may be using bond beams to deal with movement (shrinkage) in a block wall, so you would need to consider whether steel is needed for that or you can manage movement with vertical control joints. So find out the reasons why bond beams are being used in the first place and that may lead you to alternatives.

In my conversations with masons, they often find constructing bond beams every 4' or so easier to deal with than joint reinforcement that is placed every other block course (16"). This is especially true for an exterior wall where you have brick ties from the horizontal joint reinforcement interfering with insulation and air barriers. But this will vary with region and building type.

 

[KootK]

@masonrygeek: it's pretty great having you on call here to help out with our masonry issues.

 

[dik]

My experience is different... If a wall is more than 18', then put bond beams @8'o/c. Less than, no bond beams and that includes for 18' high. Horizontal blocloc or durawal each third course... and occasionally each 4' use horiz wall reinf with provision for adjustable veneer reinforcing. Most masons, in these areas, would prefer horizontal rfg instead of bond beams.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Lomarandil]

Dik, what wall thickness does that presume?

Cgseso, another determining factor will be the seismicity of your region. My walls in Cambodia are significantly less reinforced compared to the examples I see in India or Myanmar.

----
just call me Lo.

 

[dik]

I've done it with 8", 10" and 12" walls...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better? We are in about the lowest seismic zone you can find...

-Dik