Freestanding masonry wall partition

[tdawgye]

Hi There,

I have a 3000mm high freestanding concrete block wall that is 140mm thick and acts as a partition inside a building. The height of the building is well over 3000mm and i cannot laterally support the top of the block wall by framing it into the roof. As per the masonry code in Canada, there must be lateral support at heights of 36x the wall thickness. In my case, would i have to provide lateral support at the top of the masonry wall or can it just be freestanding?

Thanks

 

[r13]

Obviously it has not reached the height limit, but can you provide bond beam to strengthen the lateral load capability?

 

[sdz]

"36x the wall thickness" Does that mean an effective length of 36t? If that's the case then your effective length is already well over that. What about incorporating pilasters, 390x390, into the wall for support?
It is quite difficult to effectively reinforce a 140 block wall. Perhaps you can go to 190 blocks.

Remember it's your risk if the wall collapses and kills someone.

 

[JLNJ]

You might be able to do some engineering on it and determine that it works either through cantilever action or horizontal span (or a combination of both).

 

[Lomarandil]

Yes, pilasters or internal RC columns are the way to go here. Those then act as cantilever elements from the floor.

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just call me Lo.