Effective length of masonry wall (Leff) as required in BS 5628-1

[mkeng_kf]

I have a design issue where I need to knock down a load bearing wall to create an open plan area through the lounge. When calculating the required bearing, Type 3, BS 5628 requires stress to be checked at 0.4h, so for a 2.4m high wall, 0.4h = 960mm (leff) but adding the 100mm bearing this would be 1.060m. Is this the minimum length of wall required? or can the wall length < leff?

 

[HTURKAK]

h is the clear height of the wall;

BS 5628 requires stress to be checked at 0.4h, so for a 2.4m high wall, 0.4h = 960mm (leff) but adding the 100mm bearing this would be 1.060m.

- Spreader beam height is included at 0.4h calculation, so 0.4h=960 mm leff. would be used.

Is this the minimum length of wall required? or can the wall length < leff?

- No not necessary . The wall length can be < leff . But ensure that the capacity of the wall is greater than the design load at 0.4 h and if further dispersion is available with cross walls .