Masonry Bond Beam requirements

[spermar]

I have a multi-story wood structure (3 stories) on a conventional spread footing. The GC prefers to use a masonry foundation wall around the exterior. Our typical detail indicates a bond beam at the top of the masonry foundation wall. Our contractor is questioning the use of the bond beam. I thought it was mandated in the IBC that bond beams are required at the top of all exterior masonry walls. I can find no reference to the requirements of bond beams in the IBC? Are bond beams not necessary, per the IBC, at the top of exterior masonry walls?

I'm looking for code reference on the requirements of a bond beam?

Thank you!!

 

[jayrod12]

Will your wall not end up almost fully grouted anyways? Especially by the time you take into account the shear wall anchorage.

 

[spermar]

You're correct, most courses are grouted solid, except for the top coursing b/c it will be above grade.. which is part of my issue. I would like the bond beam also to tie the wall together to resist pull-out from the holddown anchorage. The GC only wants to hear what is mandated by the code (forgetting that a bond beam is noted in my details/notes).

 

[EngineeringEric]

if your building requires it then it doesn't matter what the code says. The code says to follow what the EOR stated.

Place the bond beam, you need it for your anchor bolts for in-plane and out of plane. And you want it. And it is standard as far as i am concerned

 

[spermar]

Thank you for the responses. I totally agree! I was just checking to see if anyone knows of a code section (ACI530, TMS 402, or IBC) that notes a bond beam is required at the top of masonry walls.. i can not find one. I've come to the conclusion the code does not require a bond beam at the top of the wall.. it's dictated by the EOR.

 

[EngineeringEric]

It may be required for all of your anchor bolt values to be valid. Not explicitly stated, but still required.

 

[Archie264]

>>>The GC only wants to hear what is mandated by the code (forgetting that a bond beam is noted in my details/notes).<<<

Ask him what his bid was based upon - your drawings or some theoretical building somewhere? Don't let him bully you.

 

[spermar]

Thank you Eric and Archie. I explained to the GC the bond beam is necessary (although, not technically required by code). Anchor bolts are spaced at approximately 48" o.c.; Cells are grouted at 32" o.c. - so we must use a bond beam.

Archie, it's crazy - but the GC's bid was based off the last building - which was "identical". The last building was designed by a different structural engineer. These construction coordination issues should not be my concern, but at the end of the day, they somehow end up as my problem to solve.

Anyway, I appreciate everyones feedback and tips - thank you!

 

[Archie264]

The GC's probing your lines of defenses, as they are so wont to do. Give in on this one and he'll push further. Stand your ground and he'll look for a weaker target.

His financial situation is his business. In the meantime he's contractually obligated to build according the drawings. Hold him to it.

 

[JLNJ]

The reinforcing bars might be acting as a diaphragm chord, or as a drag strut, but I don't think they are code mandated. (I would have to look through the imperial design sections to be sure.)