FEMA 356 Masonry Chapter

[RMalaska]

Not to sure if anyone out there has used FEMA 356 yet, but i have a question that someone might have some background information on:

FEMA 356 differentiates in it's Unreinforced Masonry (URM) section between running bond and non-running bond walls, and also between fully grouted and partially grouted. This same distinction cannot be found in the Reinforced Masonry (RM) section. Does this mean that as long as the wall under investigation is reinforced horizontally and vertically, that it does not matter if it is runnning or stack bonded, or if it is partially or fully grouted?

Any specific information, references, or background information would be appreciated.

 

[ishvaaag]

It would be rare that such was the case, because one -and FEMA in its intent less- doesn't makes a good structure to then allow the non-structural parts be shaken and smashed. More lakely than not, some minimal degree of bond in the non structural parts is implied, which exactly, if the lower or higher you refer to one is unable to precise if the code itself does not. However, one would conservatively assume that the intent is full bond at all contact surfaces for elements within reinforcing frames.