Design of RC Parapet Wall

[DNod8]

Greeting All (again ^^)

What do you take into account when you design RC Parapet wall? and how exactly do you design it? Some of my friends told me the design is just like a design of deep beam. Will that be correct?

Thank you.

a trainee who wants to learn and learn

 

[Trenno]

Usually parapets are continuously supported vertically, however they require proper design/detailing for out of plane loads. Design the parapet as a cantilever about it's weak axis.

 

[KootK]

How tall of a parapet wall are we talking? 2'? 8'? If it's tall, is it laterally supported by columns on either end? Is there a beam under the parapet wall? Or more wall? Trenno seems to be speaking to shorter parapet walls which I normally encounter as well. Taller walls seem to be popular in other regions however. When a wall is tall enough such that it's stiffness dominates over any supporting edge beams, alternate considerations may come into play. Consider posting a sketch of your particular situation.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[DNod8]

Dear Trenno and KootK,


Please find attached the image for the parapet wall. For this project, there will be a beam under the parapet wall and yes, some of the area of the parapet wall will be supported by columns, but some will also be supported by the beams. The height of the parapet is approximately 1.0m -1.2m high. The architect would like to have the parapet to be 230mm in thickness also. So it will be like a deep beam now, right?

Thanks.

a novice in engineering who wants to learn and learn

 

[KootK]

You could certainly design the edge members as deep beams if you found it advantageous to do so. I'd probably go with Trenno's method just to keep things simple.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[rapt]

If it is poured well after the main beam is poured and hardened, minimum horizontal reinforcement is normally increased significantly from the basic wall reinforcing rules to help control shrinkage shortening cracking if the parapet wall is not jointed vertically for crack control. We would normally use a minimum of .6% total in the wall.