CMU Horizontal Joint Reinf.

[IceNine]

Do any of you have any preference between Truss type or Ladder type horizontal joint reinf.? They both seem to meet the code requirement for shear walls (two W1.7 wires)

 

[jike]

Truss type is used in single wythe CMU. Ladder type is used for cavity wall composed of brick and CMU. In a cavity wall brick swells and CMU shrinks. Truss type in a cavity wall would likely cause cracking because of the restraint provided by the diagonal wires.

 

[UcfSE]

Truss type is much more difficult to deal with in the field. The diagonal crosses cells and interferes with rebar and makes itself a general hassle.

 

[JackTrades]

At one time the Corps of Engineer's did not allow truss type horizontal reinforcing as the "interior chords" might interfere with grout placement. I'm not sure if it's still prohibited.

-Jack

 

[RareBugTX]

Contractors prefer ladder type, easier to deal for reiforced masonry

 

[boffintech]

UcfSE is right; truss type is much more difficult to deal with in the field because the diagonal wires cross the cells and interfere with rebar placement.

Am on a job right now where the parking deck barrier walls have #7 bars at 8". With the required lap of 79" and the fact that a mason can lift a block over a 7' bar max every cell has two #7 bars. Have to take special precaution to ensure that no wires cross the cells.

 

[UcfSE]

boffin, that sounds like a back-breaker of a day! I think that would make mechanical splices at least worth looking in to.